Page 24 - Hospitalists - Risks When You're the Doctor in the House (Part One)

SVMIC Hospitalists - Risks When You’re the Doctor in the House

The MRI was subsequently performed on July 27th. The

imaging reports noted an acute fracture of the thoracic
spine, mild stenosis, epidural fat, and an extending lesion.

No cord compression was seen. The report recommended
a CT for further evaluation. Because the report was

submitted after hours, Dr. Murphy’s partner, Dr. Turner,
ordered the follow‐up CT which was performed on July

28th. The report noted a bony fragment within the spinal
canal. It also referenced epidural fat displacing neural

elements. On July 31st, Dr. Turner ordered that Mr. Jones be
transferred to University Hospital “tomorrow”. Dr. Murphy

testified that when he saw the report the following day,
he was concerned by these findings, but he did not order

any follow-up on the CT results. Dr. Murphy noted that Dr.
Turner conveyed the report to Dr. Carter, the consulting

orthopedist, and that the report was present in the records
for the case manager to facilitate the transfer.

Dr. Murphy saw Mr. Jones on August 1st, and his notes

referenced that he “spoke with Turner. Await transfer to
University Hospital.” Dr. Murphy again acknowledged

that he did nothing to implement the transfer order, but
stated, “It was Dr. Turner’s responsibility.” Dr. Murphy

never contacted University Hospital, nor did he ever try
to contact another facility with an available bed.

At the time of the ordered transfer, University Hospital
was on diversion status, which Dr. Murphy defined as

meaning that “the hospital was full and unable to accept
more patients”. Dr. Murphy did not know whether or

not University Hospital was ever advised of Mr. Jones’s
condition. He recalled having no specific conversations

with the case manager, though he stated that he probably

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