Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Suits May Be Option For VA Medical Center Cancer Patients
Over the past 6 years, 114 prostate-cancer patients at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center may have been given radiation doses below what was prescribed. According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, these men were undergoing brachytherapy, where radioactive rods or seeds were implanted in or around the prostate to destroy cancer cells. Two patients have since died. Many patients who undergo this type of treatment are those with a low-risk prostate cancer. A hospital spokesperson told officials they are conducting an investigation to find out if hospital negligence contributed to the errors.
According to Dr. Eric Horwitz, clinical director of the radiation/oncology department at Fox Chase Cancer Center, the worst case scenerio is that the patients’ cancer was not adequately treated, and it never went away or came back.
Officials are also investigating a separate incident at the VA Medical Center where patients had blood drawn without their consent and were placed in a research study. Marc Holmes, an Air Force Veteran, was one of 6 patients who had his blood drawn and then placed in a study without his knowledge. The hospital later claimed they were conducting a study on Warfarin Dosing and it was approved by the hospital institutional review board as a “noninvasive, retrospective view of records.” Because this study did not receive federal funding, the rules for conducting the study were not as strict. However, according to bioethics Professor Jon Merz of the University of Pennsylvania, ethical lines were crossed.
Spokesmen for the hospital claimed that the 2 incidents are unrelated and caregivers are taking steps to fix both problems. However, the VA is being questioned on its current quality control issues.
Medical malpractice and hospital negligence are serious and distressing situations. Cherry Fieger and Marciano, LLP are experienced Philadelphia PA medical malpractice attorneys. If you feel you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, please call for a free consulation. Our Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers will answer your questions and/or put you on a list to update you with information.
