Podiatrist Fails to Treat Fatal Infection

Case Overview

This case takes place in New York and involves a patient who suffered from a wound on his right foot which was first seen by podiatrist. The patient was HIV positive but had no other medical issues, and the podiatrist began treating the infection with a standard course of antibiotics. There are no details given in the medical record about what drugs the patient was prescribed specifically. The patient developed an adverse reaction to one of the drugs that was used, and as a result he was taken off the medication and placed on another, less effective antibiotic. As a result, the patient died of a heart attack due to a severe infection that spread systemically.

Questions to the Infectious Disease and Communicable Disease expert and their responses

What could have been done differently in order to prevent this negative outcome?

Infections rarely spread as quickly as described in this case, although they do occasionally occur with patients who have weaker immune systems caused by conditions such as HIV. However, this doesn't mean that events should have transpired as they have. It is possible that they missed a systemic infection, in which case this would be a breach in the standard of care.

Is this the proper medication regiment for a patient with these symptoms and problems?

I am very familiar with the subject matter and I do treat patients with vancomycin every day.

About the expert

This board-certified infectious diseases expert has been practicing for over 25 years. He is a member of numerous professional societies and has performed many research activities in the field of infectious diseases. He is also extensively published and has held several clinical and administrative appointments. He currently serves as an Associate Professor of Infectious diseases at a top-ranking NYC Medical Center and an attending physician of Infectious Diseases at a major NYC medical center.

E-000983

Specialties:

Infectious Disease and Communicable Disease