Forrest v. St. Luke’s Hospital
New opinion from Lehigh County that clarifies when peer review is valid under MCare and clarifies an important exception to the Peer Review Protection Act.
Case involves two individuals who had devasting post-operative infections following triple bypass surgery at St. Luke’s Hospital. The surgeries were identicial, one day apart, with common operating room personnel. The bacteria was the same. Both men have very serious injuries as a result.
The opinion is significant, because the hospital asserted peer review privilege over testimony and documents and plaintiffs’ lawyers were successful in beating that back.
**Many Thanks to PaTLA member Aaron Freiwald of Philadelphia.**
Craig Giangiulio
Director of Publications/Communications
Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association