Physicians from Iowa City-based University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics and the state of Iowa will pay $2.5 million to settle a woman's misdiagnosis claim, reports The Gazette.
Four things to know:
1. The woman saw physicians in Fairfield, Iowa, for back pain, but her symptoms worsened. The Gazette reported a pair of physicians and a mental health therapist "obtained an involuntary commitment order" for her treatment at Cherokee (Iowa) Mental Health Institute. She later also saw physicians at the UIHC pain center, and alleged the physician didn't take vital signs and recorded inaccurate medical history information.
2. After the woman collapsed, physicians conducted a magnetic scan of her spine and found a spinal abscess among other issues. She underwent surgery to address multiple issues, including the spinal abscess. Since the surgery, the patient has undergone leg amputations and had two heart attacks.
3. The state general fund will pay $1.67 million of the settlement while the group of physicians from University of Iowa Hospitals will pay over $833,000. Neither party admits wrongdoing.
4. Four physicians from Fairfield-based Jefferson County Hospital will stand trial next week.