Ethicists’ commentary on managing clinical errors
Ethical question of the month, June 2024
You are the senior veterinarian in a small companion animal practice located in a small town. You have recently taken on a new graduate veterinarian who is very diligent, but inexperienced. During a weekend on-call shift, the new veterinarian examines a young dog that has been hit by a car. The dog is non-ambulatory and in significant pain. Radiographs of the front limb and shoulder reveal what the veterinarian believes are multiple fractures that will require extensive surgical intervention.
The clients have limited financial means, so referral for surgery is not an option. Euthanasia is chosen as the best option under these circumstances, and the remains are taken home by the clients for burial. When you review the radiographs, you cannot appreciate any fractures, and you recognize that what your colleague erroneously believed to be fractures were actually normal growth plates. You discuss this with the veterinarian, who is deeply upset by their error and in obvious mental anguish.
What do you do? Do you adhere to your personal ethical standards of complete honesty with clients even though this may result in added upset for the clients, a potential regulatory complaint, and a serious loss of confidence in your inexperienced colleague?
Clare Palmer, Peter Sandøe, & Dan Weary comment on this dilemma and you can read it here: Ethicists’ commentary on managing clinical errors (pdf)