Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii
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Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol · Apr 2007
[Opinionating on the cause of poisoning and death in fire victims].
In the years 1995-2005, 273 cases of fatalities resulting from a fire were investigated in the Chair of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice. To explain the circumstances and determine the cause of death, in each case, autopsies, as well as toxicological determinations of toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide or hydrogen cyanide, were carried out. Alcohol intoxication status of the victims was also determined. Based on the obtained results, comprehensive toxicological and medico-legal opinions on the cause of death of all the examined fire-associated fatalities were done.
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Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol · Apr 2007
[Surgical errors in archives of the forensic medicine department, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, and in Archives of the District Chamber of Physicians in Szczecin].
The aim of this paper was to study medico-legal opinions passed by experts of the Forensic Medicine Department in Szczecin cases involving suspected surgical malpractice in the years 2001-2005. Among 97 opinions originating from the West Pomeranian and other provinces, malpractice was recognized in 30 cases. In the majority of instances, surgical errors consisted in inobservance of appropriate care in perioperative management. ⋯ Of this number, 33 complaints were carried over from the previous term Malpractice was confirmed in 34 instances and these cases were referred to the Board of Professional Medical Conduct. In 15 complains, since proceedings were in progress in various legal agencies, the cases were suspended until resolution in the prosecuting office or in court. Four cases analyzed by the District Board for Professional Medical Conduct involved surgical errors.
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Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol · Apr 2007
[On the causes of medical errors in life-threatening conditions--a medico-legal assessment based on the material of the chair and Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, collected between 2000 and the end of June, 2006].
The authors analyzed the medico-legal opinions on medical management issued by the Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine Katowice between 2000 and the end of June 2006. Among 101 cases, in which medical errors were recognized, in 82 instances inappropriate medical management was associated with direct life-threatening conditions, such as acute cardiac syndrome, cerebrocranial injuries, cerebral an aortic aneurysms, pulmonary embolisms, acute abdominal diseases, such as perforated gastric and duodenal ulcers, appendicitis, post-traumatic rupture of the spleen, and acute metabolic disorders. The majority of errors was diagnostic in character and involved the staff of emergency services, admission rooms and detoxification centers. The investigators also drew attention to factors affecting the degree of risk of medical error commission and the most common causes of inappropriate medical in life-threatening conditions.