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Case 1: "It is Hard to Kill a Healthy 15 Year Old" (The Story of Lewis Blackman)

There are so many things that went wrong regarding Lewis Blackman. The lack of communication and empathy displayed by staff is something that sticks out to me. It was apparent that Lewis had some complications post surgery, which was him was producing abnormal low amounts of urine. Although this could be something minor and expected due to the administered medication, this is still a signal that Lewis should be watched carefully to ensure this situation improves. Instead, the staff watched Lewis condition go down hill while blaming it on gas and lack of mobility. In addition to the staff on duty that day not being empathetic or caring, neither of them were professional surgeons, which is what Lewis needed access to. I personally do believe if a professional surgeon was on duty, Lewis could have possibly lived. 

 

Do you think Lewis Blackman Patient Safety Act was a sufficient response?

I do not believe that Lewis Blackman Patient Safety Act was a sufficient response. However, I do believe that it was a good start to ensure that clients are receiving adequate care and attention. After reading the case study and putting myself in Lewis and his parents shoes, I can only imagine the pain and the feeling of hopelessness they experienced due to the improper staff being on duty. Not having access to a professional surgeon to properly address this situation is very careless and unfortunate. The Lewis Blackman Patient Safety Act gives the healthcare industry hope and trust from clients to feel comfortable and secure with the healthcare system.