In this episode, we unpack the case of a 40-year-old woman who came to the Emergency Department with right upper quadrant abdominal pain—an atypical presentation that led her care team away from considering appendicitis. Without the “classic” symptoms, the diagnosis was missed, and she was discharged home—only to return two days later with a ruptured appendix.

We explore how cognitive biases, atypical presentation, and time pressures in the ED can impact clinical decision-making. More importantly, we discuss practical strategies to reduce diagnostic error: broadening differentials, recognizing atypical presentations, improving team communication, and strengthening safety-netting at discharge. This episode is a powerful reminder that uncommon presentations of common conditions can test even experienced clinicians—and that small shifts in thinking can make a life-saving difference.

In this episode hosts Katie Wyatt NP-C and Charles Piltcher MD discuss a sad case of a patient who was taken to the ED by law enforcement for medical evaulation, and because of violence against the nuse and law enforcement officers, the patient was evicted to jail without medical exam. The patient had a cardiac arrest in the jail 30 minutes after arrival. Listen for the details and tips on how we can avoid situations like this in the future.

This episode reviews a malpractice case where a psychiatric patient boarded in an ED for over 24 hours was restrained in a prone position, sedated, and left unmonitored, resulting in cardiac arrest and severe brain injury.

We discuss failures in monitoring, documentation, restraint policies, and the broader problem of psychiatric boarding, plus lessons for clinicians to prevent similar outcomes.

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Welcome to the Learning from Lawsuits podcast, where we review real medical malpractice lawsuit cases so healthcare providers can learn from them.

In this episode a 62-year-old with WPW presents in atrial fibrillation; a nurse practitioner recognizes the case is beyond her scope and transfers care to the attending, documenting a detailed handoff. The patient later arrests after the NP’s shift but recovers and sues claiming PTSD. The appeals court found the NP not liable based on clear transfer documentation. Key takeaways: document handoffs thoroughly, customize templates with patient-specific details, communicate scope of care, and assign high-risk cases appropriately.

In this episode of Medical Manners, we share the story of a woman who came to the emergency department for abdominal pain. She was under the influence, declined care, and left—only to be found dead 12 hours later in a jail cell.

This case led to a lawsuit, but more importantly, it raises crucial questions about how we care for our most vulnerable patients. How do we balance compassion and clinical judgment when treating those we might label as “drug seekers” or “frequent fliers”?

Join us as we discuss the importance of slowing down, ensuring thorough evaluations, and remembering that every patient—no matter their background—deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for.

This episode reviews a medical malpractice case where a canceled CT angiogram and conflicting exam findings led to a delayed diagnosis of limb ischemia and eventual below-knee amputation.

Hosts discuss clinical and legal lessons: confirm consultant findings yourself, escalate unresolved disagreements, document clinical reasoning, and empower patients to advocate for timely follow-up.

Three EMS units went to the wrong address for a cardiac arrest, causing a 12-minute delay. The patient’s heart was restarted, but severe and permanent brain damage left him disabled.

The family won a jury verdict after years of litigation. Key takeaways: verify locations, use closed-loop communication, avoid cognitive biases, and remember that every minute counts—time is brain.

In this episode of "Learning from Lawsuits," we delve into a medical malpractice case involving a woman in her late 50s presenting with the worst headache of her life, intermittent vision loss, and confusion. Despite her alarming symptoms, she was discharged with a diagnosis of conversion disorder. Less than 24 hours later, she returned to the ER with an occipital stroke, leading to a lawsuit against the emergency physician and staff.

Explore the importance of avoiding cognitive biases, such as anchoring and confirmation biases, which played a crucial role in this case. Learn why humility in medical practice and listening to patient symptoms are vital in reaching an accurate diagnosis.

The episode also touches upon how gaslighting can occur in medical settings and provides suggestions on how healthcare providers can improve their communication with patients to avoid premature closure and ensure comprehensive care.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Learning from Lawsuits podcast, where hosts Katie Wyatt and Dr. Charles Pilcher delve into the intricate world of medical malpractice with a focus on real cases that offer valuable learning experiences for healthcare providers. In this episode, they discuss a peculiar case involving a failed urethral catheterization in a 47-year-old male patient with acute urinary retention. The case sheds light on the critical distinctions between a mere complication and actual negligence in medical procedures.

The episode explores the facts surrounding the case, including the challenges faced during the procedure, the arguments posed by both the plaintiff and defense, and the ultimate decision not to pursue a lawsuit. Dr. Pilcher provides expert insights into the case, emphasizing the importance of proper documentation, understanding known complications, and the necessity of using appropriately sized catheters to avoid creating false passages.

Listeners will gain insights into the standards of care in medical practices, the role of proper documentation, and strategies to defend against potential malpractice claims. This episode is an essential listen for medical professionals seeking to better navigate the complexities of their duties while minimizing legal risks.

In this eye-opening episode of "Learning from Lawsuits," we dive into a complex case where a seemingly minor issue with a contact lens was misdiagnosed as a stroke or migraine, leading to a legal battle. Follow the journey of a woman whose persistent eye pain was misunderstood by multiple healthcare professionals, resulting in a drastic deterioration of her vision.

Join us as we dissect the miscommunications and cognitive biases that contributed to this unfortunate outcome. Discover key takeaways that can help prevent similar incidents in medical practice, emphasizing the importance of listening to patient complaints and taking them seriously. Together, let's learn from this legal case to improve patient care and avoid repeating the same mistakes.