Malpractice in diagnosis and treatment of craniocerebral injuries in cases reviewed by the Forensic Medicine Department, Medical University of Łódź.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to determine the most frequent errors in medical treatment of craniocerebral injuries, based on materials reviewed by the Forensic Medicine Department, Medical University of Łódź, Poland.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Legal opinions in the area of craniocerebral injuries, elaborated by the Forensic Medicine Department, Medical University of Łódź, from 2000 to 2004, were assessed.

RESULTS

Seven hundred ninety three opinions related to medical practice were given between 2000 and 2004; 30 cases referred to craniocerebral injuries. There were 19 opinions analyzed in which incorrectness of diagnostic and therapeutic process was found. Eight cases were related to disqualification from hospitalization, 4 cases referred to delay in diagnosis because of transportation to another place, and 4 cases were related to abandoned or misinterpreted imaging studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Analyzed material comprised 17 errors during the decision-making process, including 4 diagnostic errors, as well as 1 therapeutic, 1 executive, and 1 organisational error. The most common error was disqualification from hospitalization of patients who should be observed in hospital. It was followed (in order of frequency) by errors related to transportation to the sobering chamber or to another hospital, and failure to perform or misinterpretation of imaging studies. The fewest errors referred to treatment. The main cause of craniocerebral injury was fall of a drunk person, and the alcohol intoxication made diagnosis difficult and delayed.