Daniel E. Holloway
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Memorial Health complaint alleges giant-cell arteritis diagnosis delay before permanent vision loss

The complaint alleges that a patient presented to Memorial Health University Medical Center with a 36-day headache, scalp tenderness, and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and that the treating physician noted giant cell arteritis as a consideration but discharged her without specialist consultation. The patient later presented to another Savannah hospital with left-eye vision loss, was treated for giant cell arteritis, and sustained permanent, medically preventable injuries.

System
Memorial Health University Medical Center
Facility
Memorial Health University Medical Center
Providers involved
Memorial Health University Medical Center / Bradley K. Post, M.D. / Georgia Emergency Physician Specialists, LLC / Sound Inpatient Physicians, Inc. / Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia-TCG PC
Pattern
Emergency-department headache and scalp tenderness allegedly discharged without giant-cell arteritis diagnosis or specialist consultation
Harm
Alleged permanent left-eye vision loss and ongoing permanent injuries

Overview

This page concerns a public complaint alleging that an emergency-department visit at Memorial Health University Medical Center should have led to further evaluation and specialist consultation for suspected giant cell arteritis before discharge.

Chronology

The complaint alleges as follows:

  1. The plaintiff presented to the Memorial Health University Medical Center emergency department in Savannah on May 1, 2023 with a 36-day headache and painful knots or scalp tenderness.
  2. Dr. Bradley Post ordered laboratory studies and CT imaging, including an erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
  3. The sedimentation-rate result was elevated at 44 millimeters per hour.
  4. Dr. Post noted giant cell arteritis as a consideration but also noted that the sedimentation rate was not significantly elevated and considered migraine.
  5. Dr. Post discharged the plaintiff from Memorial Health at approximately 9:17 p.m. on May 1, 2023.
  6. The plaintiff presented to St. Joseph’s Hospital/Candler on May 18, 2023 with left-eye vision loss, records noted concern for giant cell arteritis, and she was given prednisone.
  7. A rheumatologist later confirmed giant cell arteritis and described the case as severe given the existing left-eye vision loss.

Alleged failures

The complaint alleges the following failures:

  • Dr. Post failed to fully appreciate symptoms and circumstances allegedly indicative of giant cell arteritis, including age, gender, headache, scalp pain, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
  • Dr. Post failed to consult neurology, ophthalmology, vascular surgery, or rheumatology for further evaluation and treatment.
  • The plaintiff’s pain, suffering, permanent vision loss, and other injuries were medically avoidable.
  • The complaint alleges professional malpractice, including gross negligence, against Dr. Post and agency or respondeat-superior liability against the associated physician groups and Memorial Health entity.

Entities and tags

Memorial Health University Medical CenterSavannah Health Services, LLCBradley K. Post, M.D.Georgia Emergency Physician Specialists, LLCSound Inpatient Physicians, Inc.Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia-TCG PCGiant cell arteritisTemporal arteritisErythrocyte sedimentation rateESRVision lossEmergency departmentDelayed or missed diagnosisEmergency department carePremature dischargeEmergency medicineRheumatologyOphthalmologyNeurology