Can negligence result in safer patient care? (October 2018)

Summary

Helen Marie Bousquet tragically passed away after what has been described by her son as 'a basic routine procedure' for knee surgery. He argues that her tragic and avoidable death highlights the need for better assessment of patients for sleep apnea and for better treatment and monitoring of these patients before, during and after surgery.

The recent jury finding that a hospital nurse was negligent in the care of Helen Marie Bousquet raises the question whether negligence can result in safer patient care.

In his blog, Michael Wong, JD (Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety), looks at this case and the lessons that can be learned.