Risk management and avoiding legal pitfalls in the emergency treatment of high-risk orthopedic injuries.
Avoiding legal pitfalls of orthopedic injuries in the emergency department (ED) requires an understanding of certain high-risk injuries, their presentation, evaluation, and disposition. Various pitfalls pertaining to both upper and lower extremity injuries are discussed in detail, with recommendations regarding the history, physical examination, and radiographic techniques that minimize the risk inherent in these injuries. When approaching these injuries in the ED, a high level of suspicion coupled with appropriate evaluation and management will allow the practitioner to avoid mismanagement of these potential pitfall cases.
Germann
Carl A
CA
Department of Emergency Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Tufts University College of Medicine, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME 04102, USA. germac@mmc.org
Perron
Andrew D
AD
D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012308:Risk Management / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*