Healthcare Inspection: Surgical Care Case Review, John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas

摘要

The purpose of this review was to determine the validity of allegations of poor care associated with a patient's death at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital, a hospital of the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System in Little Rock, Arkansas. Specifically, the complainant alleged the patient did not have an appropriate medical evaluation prior to colon surgery, post-operative lack of oxygen nearly caused the patient's death, and medical treatment in the emergency department (ED) was inadequate for one identified patient. The allegation that the patient did not receive appropriate medical care and evaluation prior to colon surgery was not substantiated. The patient had a chronic cardiac condition and was examined pre-operatively by a cardiologist. The cardiologist judged the patient to be at low to intermediate but acceptable risk for peri-operative cardiovascular events. The allegation that the patient was oxygen-deprived while in the Surgical Intensive Care unit (SICU) was not substantiated. Flow charts for hourly oxygen saturation monitoring in the SICU revealed adequate levels of oxygenation.