Failure to Diagnose Impending Myocardial Infarction in Primary Care

February 2019

This article uses case studies based on NORCAL Group closed claims against PCPs to illustrate various causes of AMI diagnosis errors, including: incomplete medical history and/or physical exam; failure to rule out impending AMI or AMI when chest pain could be attributed to a non-cardiac cause; EKG misinterpretations; failure to make a timely referral to the ED; and failure to adequately supervise advanced practice professionals.

SPECIAL FEATURE
AMI Diagnosis Guidelines

CASE ONE
Diagnosis of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in a Patient with Impending MI

SPECIAL FEATURE
Marburg Heart Score for Patients with Chest Pain

CASE TWO
Failure to Properly Interpret an ECG

SPECIAL FEATURE
Gender Differences in AMI Symptoms and Risk Factors

SPECIAL FEATURE
Other Categories of Patients in Whom AMI Diagnosis Can Be Challenging

CASE THREE
Problematic Documentation

CASE FOUR
Vicarious Liability for Physician Assistant Failure to Diagnose AMI

CLAIMS Rx DIRECTORY

RISK MANAGEMENT PUBLICATION

Failure to Diagnose Impending Myocardial Infarction in Primary Care