Sent for open heart surgery and didn't need it.

[jab1963]

My husband had a heart cath done Monday and the cardiologist came to me and said that he needed to be transferred out because he needed open heart surgery ASAP, his left main had a major blockage and it was not in an area that could be stented.  I had my choice of two places to go and I decided to have him transferred to a major well known hospital over an hour away.  After just a couple of hours after his procedure my husband was transferred via ambulance to the other hospital (to unstable to go via car) and was already scheduled for open heart surgery the next day.  When we got there the head cardiac surgeon reviewed over the medical information sent from his local cardiologist and wasn't 100 % convinced he needed surgery and decided he would cancel the surgery and reschedule it for Thursday so that he could run his own test to see if it was necessary.  On Wednesday morning he had another heart cath and other test.   During the cath the doctor could not find any blockages not even one and he did not need to have open heart surgery and he didn’t need any stents.  His heart was healthy except for some heart spasms that he had.  The doctor explained to me that his local cardiologist used the wrong size cath on him because he was a short man (5’1” & small frame) and he had a smaller heart that he should have used a smaller cath.  When the local cardiologist went into his heart with the average size cath that it made his heart spasm and it made it look as if he had a major blockage.  I’m convinced that if we had went to the other hospital he would have had open heart surgery the next day and the cardiac surgeon would have not questioned the local cardiologist findings especially since they know each other.  I’m so upset because of this major medical misdiagnosis could have easily led to open heart surgery on a major diabetic patient.  Because of his mistake we are going to be out of pocket $6,000.00 my MOOP because of all of the expenses that have occurred between hospitals, ambulance ride, cardiac surgeon, cardiologists, etc.  And I’m half temped to sue him for the expenses we were out because of the whole mess.  I’ve missed work, I’ve had to have emergency child care for my 2 year old, and medical expenses etc. because the local cardiologist missed diagnosed him.  Am I wrong to consider this?  I know that we all make mistakes but this one could have cost my husband’s life.        

[ed34]

Just to add, they wanted the name of the nurse who gave me the meds. I knew who it was but refused to name her. She was just following the existing rules. It's ridiculous how they always have to find a scape goat and blame them for everything. She thanked me after for not telling, but the system was at fault, not her.

[ed34]

I had something similar in 2007. I was sent home with someone elses medication. Instead of 2.5mg daily of blood pressure meds, I was given 470mg twice a day. I phoned the ward and said I feel dizzy but they didn't seem interested. My blood pressure dropped so low over the next 48 hours that I nearly died. I did get a solicitor and met with the hospital management. They kept offering me very nice sums of money, but I told them I just want to see there are measures in place now so it can NEVER happen again. The protocols were completely changed and now a patient cannot leave the ward until a pharmacist has been to check over all the medication.

[jab1963]

I forgot to mention my husband is doing great!  I think he is still in shock though!  He's thrilled about the good news and I am too!  But I'm also extremely upset that it happened!

[jab1963]

I'm really not into the money thing even though it would be nice if I could get reimbursed the money I was out of pocket.  But what I would really like to see is... for him to come forth with the the mistake and try to educate other physicians on what he had done and maybe prevent something like this happening in the future.  I don't want to smear his name... I just want people of the medical community to learn what happened to him and why it happened and how to prevent it from happening again.  If I could save one person (and their family) from going through this... then my mission would be complete.

[jab1963]

He came to the Emergency room for chest pain and was admitted from there.  His cardiac enzymes were normal the whole time, he had two abnormal EKG's that cleared up with medicine.  No I haven't requested his medical records but I will.  Thanks for the advice.

[ed34]

Wrong equipment, wrong diagnosis, wrong treatment recommended?
I think a good lawyer would wipe the floor with them. In the UK they would settle out of court to avoid publicity. Personally I don't normally agree with law suits, but in this case I would just want my losses back.

[shell921]

wow what a nightmare--but good luck suing if it's an HMO - they are impossible to sue!

[ed34]

I would go for the compensation, why should you be out of pocket because someone doesn't know what they are doing.

[Flycaster305]

I'm sorry for your obviously stressful situation.  

What led to your husband's cath?  Is he doing OK now?

Also, did you request a procedure report from the first and second hospital that determined their decisions?