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• Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol Poisoning medical definition: Alcohol poisoning is a medical condition that can occur when someone consumes too much alcohol or drinks too much too fast. People in this condition need prompt medical care to prevent life-threatening complications and lasting impairments. 

Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:

• Mental confusion, loss of consciousness, or coma

• Vomiting

• Seizures

• Slow or irregular breathing, often with as much as 10 seconds between breaths

• Hypothermia, often with bluish skin

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Alcohol Poisoning in Medical Malpractice Cases 

If doctors and/or other care providers at a hospital fail to diagnose and provide treatment quickly for victims of alcohol poisoning, it may constitute medical malpractice.

Alcohol poisoning in the most critical states can lead to: 

• Vomiting and resulting choking because of unconsciousness or lack of gag reflex

• Brain damage because of slowed, irregular, or stopped breathing

• Irregular heart rhythm or stopped heartbeat

• Hypothermia

• Seizures related to low blood sugar

• Severe dehydration caused by vomiting

• Permanent brain damage

• Death

These serious symptoms must be treated quickly and effectively to avoid long term effects on the body. If symptoms of alcohol poisoning go untreated or unacknowledged, breathing may slow to critical rates and organs can become affected by the alcohol coursing through the bloodstream. In cases such as this, failure to diagnose as well as improper or delayed treatment may be grounds for a medical malpractice case. 

Sources:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-poisoning/symptoms-causes/syc-20354386 

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