Page 24 - OB Risks - Delivering the Goods (Part Two)

SVMIC Obstetrics Risks: Delivering the Goods

and anesthesia was notified along with the on-call OB.
Subcutaneous terbutaline was ordered, and eventually, a

C-section was begun at 12:06 am on September 29th.
There was noted to be a significant rupture of the uterine

wall on the right-lower area. The infant had extruded
through that rupture and was in the abdominal cavity

in the upper-right quadrant. This was a stillborn infant
weighing slightly over 6 pounds. Unsuccessful CPR was

performed, and the two covering OB physicians came
to the hospital later and performed a uterine repair.

The patient was taken to the recovery room, was given
magnesium sulfate the following morning, and the patient

stabilized throughout the day. She was discharged, but
two days later was readmitted with preeclampsia and

treated vigorously with additional magnesium sulfate.

A lawsuit was filed, and the following weaknesses were
identified:

1. The absence of the two on-call physicians from the
hospital until the crisis arose – the patient had been

seen in the hospital three times within 24 hours, yet
neither physician came to the hospital to examine the

patient.

2. This was a full-term infant, which was noted to be

healthy throughout the prenatal care, and early fetal
tracings were reassuring – in other words, a baby that

might likely have survived with quicker intervention.

3. Preeclampsia was not evaluated – she had a significant

change in her blood pressure on her third visit to the

hospital and most of the readings were well-elevated

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