The radiologist omitted an important detail present on the x-rays: a thickening of the epiglottis.
Prosecuted for “manslaughter” after the death of Sébastien Delforge, 31, ten years ago in EMERGENCIES from the Marmande hospital center (Lot-et-Garonne), a radiologist and an emergency doctor appeared in court this Wednesday, November 6, reports La Dépêche du Midi. The patient was admitted for simple broken nose after a fall while cyclingreminds the regional daily.
The scan taken by the radiologist around 8 p.m. showed nothing abnormal. But after the departure of the practitioner, the thirty-year-old's condition deteriorated significantly. Sébastien presented difficulty swallowing and breathing. After several alerts from the emergency doctor, the radiologist agreed to come back around midnight.
The emergency doctor searched for another doctor for an hour and a half to carry out a procedure that he could have performed himself.
And for good reason, the practitioner had just understood that he had omitted an important detail present on the first photos: a thickening of the epiglottis. The patient therefore needed an emergency mini-tracheotomy, which would not ultimately be undertaken until 1:20 a.m. The emergency doctor actually looked for another doctor for almost an hour and a half to carry out this procedure when he could have performed it himself. Clearing the airways was attempted too late and the thirty-year-old died.
At the bar, the two defendants, who have not not been suspended after the facts and still exercise, did not admit any fault. 14 months suspended prison sentence and a fine of 15,000 euros were requested against the radiologist, 18 months in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros against the emergency physician. The deliberation has been set for December 10.
