What a orthopedics review usually focuses on

Fractures, joint surgery, hardware, and infection. A case review should reconstruct the sequence of imaging, fracture/joint evaluation, surgical indication, hardware/procedure, and rehabilitation from the records available at each decision point.

Five decision points to map

  • 1. Imaging
  • 2. Fracture/joint evaluation
  • 3. Surgical indication
  • 4. Hardware/procedure
  • 5. Rehabilitation

Records that can answer those questions

  • Orthopedics consultation, procedure, or encounter notes
  • Orders and test results used to make the clinical decision
  • Medication, monitoring, procedure, or nursing records tied to the event
  • Communication with the patient and other specialties
  • Later treatment showing the complication, corrected diagnosis, or outcome

Expert and causation questions

  • What training and specialty should the reviewing orthopedics expert have under state law?
  • Which of the key decision points in fractures, joint surgery, hardware, and infection is actually being challenged?
  • What information was available at that time, not only in hindsight?
  • What part of the later harm is attributable to the underlying illness or known risk?
  • Would a different medical decision probably have changed treatment or outcome?

Related specialties

Pathology Malpractice GuidePathology malpractice questions often require specialty-specific records and expert review.Pediatrics Malpractice GuidePediatrics malpractice questions often require specialty-specific records and expert review.Pharmacy Malpractice GuidePharmacy malpractice questions often require specialty-specific records and expert review.Radiology Malpractice GuideRadiology malpractice questions often require specialty-specific records and expert review.

Use licensing, records, and medical-information sources appropriate to the specialty.