Friday, May 21, 2010

Is it malpractice to continue with a medical procedure even though a patient's blood pressure is 190/97?

My mother was extremely nervous during her procedure to get all of her teeth pulled. She read 190/97 before the procedure. and they said that was high, so they waited 5 or 10 minutes, it read the same, but they went on with it even after it didn't go down. I am not sure what is considered too high to do a procedure like that. On top of that, she got ALL of her teeth pulled with only local anesthesia, and she claims she felt every bit of it, her heart was racing way faster and she was scared absolutely to death throughout the entire thing. So her BP was probably sky high but they went on with it. She is scared to go back to that dentist because he has been very mean and unprofessional with her throughout the whole process. But do we have a good reason to ask for her money back so she can afford go to a better dentist? THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Is it malpractice to continue with a medical procedure even though a patient's blood pressure is 190/97?
The dentist may have spoke with her doctor and the doctor would have to confirm that there is no history of high BP. If you Mom was nervous than that could definately elevate her BP.


I don't know how you could get your money back for a proceducer that very clearly has already been performed... I guess your Mom should have founda good dentist before such a major procedure.
Reply:Sorry, but most likely no she won't be able to get any money back. They usually have the patient sign a contract before the procedure where she agreed to the risks and to the form of anesteshia used, and it will be legally binding. Unless she told them to stop, then she was agreeing to the procedures being performed. Since she did not ask them to stop, or get up and leave when her blood pressure was high, then she is classed as a consenting, willing participent. Its not like they had her tied to the chair and drugged where she couldn't say no, so the law will not support her claim. Her best bet is to just finish using the same dentist. You should be able to attend the appointments with her if that would help her relax during them.
Reply:She should have left. Also there may or probably was ephiderine in the shot. That causes anxiety in a lot of people as its adenaline. It is just something that is added so the freezing will last longer. And it is something that you do not have to have. Most all dentists carry shots without it because of those very side effects.


If she had had a heart attack then there would be an extremely good reason to go ahead and sue. WHat she should have done is left. THe court would ask you that question.





There is a form in canada where you can fill out a complaint and its forwarded to a place that logs them and if enoughh of them are filled out then the guy gets yanked from practicing.
Reply:I think it was poor judgement to proceed with a patient's blood pressure that high. He should have sent her to her Physician , and rescheduled with sedation when her BP was better controlled. If she had stroked out in the chair, you would certainly have a basis for a suit. Being mean is not grounds for a malpractice suit. File a complaint with the local dental society. He did pull her teeth, which is what he was paid for, so you will probably have to pay him. Just don't go back to him.


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