IHP 420 Milestone_one.docx 3-2 Final Project Milestone One: Malpractice Case Southern

IHP 420 Milestone_one.docx    3-2 Final Project Milestone One: Malpractice Case  Southern New Hampshire University  IHP 420: Ethical & Legal Considerations  Introduction  In the case of Iturralde v. Hilo Medical Center, Arturo Itirralde™ssister Rosalinda represented her brother™s estate, and filed a malpractice case against Hilo Medical Center for the actions of Dr. Robert Ricketson, who performed a spinal fusion on January 29, 2001.   On January 24, 2001, Dr. Ricketson, who is an orthopedic surgeon, examined the patient, Arturo, after he was admitted to Hilo Medical Center for increased weakness in his legs from a several falls. Dr. Ricketson diagnosed Mr. Iturralde with degenerative spondylolisthesis L4-5 with stenosis. This condition puts pressure on the nerves, which leads to weakness. Dr. Ricketson scheduled Arturo to have spinal fusion surgery to help relieve the pressure the following Monday.   Dr. Ricketson had HMC place the order to Medtronic for a M8 Titanium CD Horizon Kit for the surgery. However, the kit had to be shipped in two shipments because Medtronic did not have part of the kit. Both sections of the kit were shipped to HMC from Memphis and Tulane. The Saturday before the surgery, the hospital received both shipments. Unfortunately, there was no inventory done to verify that all components of the surgical kit were there. The components were sterilized and sent to the OR for the surgery. A nurse, Vicki Barry, informed Dr. Ricketson that the surgical kit was not inventoried but the s