Medical care can be a complex world to navigate, especially for patients and their families. While healthcare professionals dedicate their lives to saving others, mistakes do happen. The question we face today is: was the unfortunate passing of Joshua Hamby, a 54-year-old man from Florida, the result of such a mistake?
The Background
In May 2020, Joshua Hamby was admitted to a South Florida hospital, showing symptoms of pancreatitis. During his treatment, he was given multiple doses of Dilaudid, a potent opioid painkiller that’s several times more potent than morphine. But Hamby didn’t just face issues related to his pancreatitis. A week after his treatment began, he tragically suffered a catastrophic respiratory collapse.
His family is now pointing fingers at Dr. Joshua Glauser, Hamby’s treating physician. Their primary contention? Dr. Glauser did not take an exhaustive medical history of Hamby that might have revealed potential drug-related risk factors. Moreover, they allege that the required monitoring tools, which would have immediately alerted the medical staff of any respiratory depression in Hamby, were not used.
The Relevance of Sleep Apnea
A significant detail raised during the trial’s opening was Hamby’s existing condition: sleep apnea. This condition affects breathing, and patients suffering from it need to be closely watched, especially when administered strong medication like Dilaudid. FDA protocol emphasizes this.
The crux of the issue? According to the Hamby family’s attorney, Daniel Harwin, Dr. Glauser neither inquired about Hamby’s sleep apnea nor ordered the necessary telemetry or pulse-oximetry monitoring. Considering Hamby had received a whopping 27 milligrams of Dilaudid in the 28 hours preceding his collapse, the oversight, if proven true, could have dire consequences.
The Defense Stands Firm
Yet, every story has two sides. The defense is unyielding in their stance that Dr. Glauser took all required precautions while treating Hamby. They stress that he took an adequate medical history and that the patient was never left unattended. In fact, Hamby was placed on a floor where nurses would frequently check on him, especially after administering Dilaudid doses. They argue that nursing notes can substantiate their claims.
The Ultimate Question
So, what does this all mean for patients and their families? It highlights the importance of comprehensive care, where each aspect of a patient’s history is considered, and no stone is left unturned. It reminds us of the critical need for constant vigilance in medical settings, where even small oversights can have tragic results.
For the Hamby family, the trial is not just about seeking justice for a loved one lost but also about ensuring that similar tragedies do not befall other families.
As the trial progresses, we at OnderLaw will be keenly watching, and we advise you to stay informed. Medical malpractice affects countless lives, and understanding its intricacies is the first step towards a safer healthcare environment.
If you or a loved one have been affected by medical malpractice or oversight, OnderLaw is here to guide and support you. Our expertise in the field ensures that justice is not just sought but achieved. Reach out to us today.
