Reference no: EM133561342

SCENARIO: A patient presents to the ER of Mercy Hospital with fever and chills. The physician runs several tests but can't find a definite cause for the patient's illness. After receiving IV fluids and an anti-inflammatory medication, the patient feels somewhat better. He is sent home with a prescription of antibiotics and the recommendation to see his regular physician in a week but to come back to the ER if he gets worse. After a few days, the patient suddently develops sores all over his body and his fever spikes.

His wife calls an ambulance but the patient dies on the way to the hospital. It turns out that the patient had picked up a rare viral disease on a recent trip to the tropics. He had not told the ER physician about the trip.

The patient's wife files a lawsuit against the physician, claiming that the physician failed to recognize the symptoms of the disease.

What were the obligations of the physician in this case? In your opinion, did the physician fulfill all of his obligations to the patient in this case? Did the patient fulfill all of his obligations? What could have been done differently for a better outcome?