Analysis of Malpractice Case Iturralde v. Hilo Medical Center USA

ANALYSIS OF MALPRACTICE CASE
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Analysis of Malpractice Case
This case relates to and involves Arturo Iturralde and Hilo Medical Centre (HMC). Arturo was admitted to the medical centre for increasing weakness in his legs, which made him fall severally. Arturo was diagnosed with degenerative spondylolisthesis L4-5 with stenosis by Dr Ricketson, an orthopedic surgeon. The condition exerted pressure on the nerves and could be relieved by spinal fusion surgery. This meant the formation of bilateral fixation by implanting two rods into the spine.
On the day of surgery, Dr Ricketson proceeded with the surgery even after being told by Nurse Vickie Barry that no staff had completed inventory for the kit. Dr Ricketson presumed that everything needed for the surgery was present in the kit. Later on, Dr Ricketson realized that the two titanium rods to be fixed were missing and could not be located anywhere in the medical centre, as stated by FindLaw (2012). Dr Ricketson could not wait other ninety minutes for other titanium rods to be brought from Honolulu. As a result, he had to improvise rods of screwdriver shaft to complete the surgery because it was too late to delay the surgery any longer for it was risky for the patient, Arturo. Nurse Janelle Feldmeyer was present during this surgery and had seen all that Dr Ricketson had done.
A few days later, Arturo was scheduled for another surgery, and the right titanium rods were fixed in the spine. Nurse Feldmeyer decided to reveal all that had happened during the first surgery to Arturo’s family after being unable to communicate with Arturo. Nevertheless, Arturo’s health deteriorated even after several other surgeries and passed away after some months (FindLaw, 2012).
Evaluation of the Case
In this case, there were several legal components that were not professional done by Dr Ricketson. First, Dr Ricketson proceeded with the surgery even after Nurse Vickie Barry had advised him that the inventory of the kit from Medtronic had not been done. This was against the policies of Hilo Medical Centre. The doctor improvised two rods of screwdriver shaft that were not recommended hence were not suitable for the surgery. The doctor did not also contact the patient’s family of what had happe...