Medical Malpractice: Avoiding Costly Mistakes & Unforeseen Loss - Essay Sample

Introduction

Among the fields that practitioners must be conscientious is the medical field to avoid and prevent costly mistakes that may result in untold loss. Carelessness in this field may be detrimental as a victim may end up being injured, which may also be irreversible (Chen et al., 2013). Moreover, medical errors may result in loss of life or permanent disability. Medical malpractices may range from several causes such as negligence or even practising beyond the scope. Many malpractice cases in the medical field in the world have been recorded in different nations with doctors and other healthcare providers being held responsible for the malpractices (Chen et al., 2013). Through these malpractices, lives have been lost, some of which have affected unpopular citizens while others have affected famous people such as musicians among other cadres of victims. It is remembered that in the year 2009, a legendary American hip hop musician by the name of Michael Jackson became a victim of medical malpractice which claimed his life (Van Norman & Rosen, 2015). Thus, this paper will critically dig into the misconduct in details as an example of medical malpractice that is in the record in America.

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In June the year 2009, the world, especially the lovers of hip hop music, had to come into terms with the shocking news of the death of a hip hop star, Michael Jackson. It is said that the star had visited his doctor for some medical reasons as it is said that he had problems falling asleep (Van Norman & Rosen, 2015). It was after the meeting with his doctor by the name of Dr Conrad Murray that seemingly went bad and the death occurred after administration of a drug. It was nevertheless unclear about the cause of his death, and for that reason; an autopsy was needed to establish the cause of his death. As a result, the autopsy was conducted by a renowned pathologist to discover the cause of his death (Van Norman & Rosen, 2015).

The autopsy was successfully conducted, and the doctors found out that his death resulted for toxicity as it was outlined in the report. It was discovered that the star succumbed due to toxic effects of drugs that his doctor had administered to him (Van Norman & Rosen, 2015). News from other sources said that this star had a problem as he could not easily fall asleep and needed to use several drugs to help him achieve his sleep. His doctor went ahead to provide him with medications to help him fall asleep, which, according to medical guidelines, was wrong as he was helping him in abusing the drugs to help his client sleep (Van Norman & Rosen, 2015).

The finding from autopsy mentioned that there was evidence of a drug known as propofol in his system among other substances. Propofol is a drug that is used in theatres during significant operations due to its compelling anesthetic character (Van Norman & Rosen, 2015). It was apparent the doctor administered the drug to his client without reason for that, which amounts into malpractice. It is inappropriate to help patient abuse such potent sedatives for no apparent reason. Thus, what the doctor did was malpractice.

Medically, propofol is a distinguished potent drug with a wide range of harmful effects in the human body when not appropriately administered. The drug is delivered in theatres with the supervision of an anesthesiologist due to its detrimental effects. Move investigations were conducted and found out that Dr Conrad Murray routinely administered the dangerous drug carelessly to Jackson and allowed him home without supervision (Van Norman & Rosen, 2015). Due to its effects, Jackson would fall asleep, and as such, he found the drug to be more productive and continued to use. The scope of practice did not allow Dr Conrad Murray to use this drug on his client.

Finally, it was concluded that Dr Conrad Murray acted beyond his scope of practice as a physician. Additionally, it was inappropriate for him to administer such a drug to help his client fall asleep (Van Norman & Rosen, 2015). He, therefore, took part in assisting his client in abusing a drug which he did not know about. For these reasons, Dr Murray was apprehended and charged with medical malpractice that led to the death of his client. After listening to the case, the judges found the doctor guilty and sentenced him to four years in prison, pay $100 million to the family of Jackson and his license revoked (Van Norman & Rosen, 2015).

References

Chen, K. Y., Yang, C. M., Lien, C. H., Chiou, H. Y., Lin, M. R., Chang, H. R., & Chiu, W. T. (2013). Burnout, job satisfaction, and medical malpractice among physicians. International journal of medical sciences, 10(11), 1471.

Van Norman, G. A., & Rosen, J. S. (2015). Michael Jackson: Medical Ethics and What Went Wrong. In Pediatric Sedation Outside of the Operating Room (pp. 685-697). Springer, New York, NY.