I took my dog in for an evaluation- 2nd opinion due to limping/lame on LEFT REAR...UPON DR LATIMER DOING A CONSULT /EVALUATION on my DOG .He stated and NOTATED on the Medical NOTES that:" UPON PRESENT... Read More
I took my dog in for an evaluation- 2nd opinion due to limping/lame on LEFT REAR...UPON DR LATIMER DOING A CONSULT /EVALUATION on my DOG .He stated and NOTATED on the Medical NOTES that:" UPON PRESENTATION, SAMPSON IS LAME ON THE LR".... He suggested a "THR" a TOTAL HIP REPALCEMENT FOR THE LR.I scheduled his Pre-op work, blood, getting measured for the implant, xrays, etc...for the following week. Upon picking Sampson up, I scheduled the THR on 11-30-17.. I drove back to the MEDICAL office I work at and called Samantha the receptionist..I have been keeping a medical file on Sampson and I had requested that she send me the initial consultation that was done on October 27th. She agreed that she would send it to me via EMAIL... I received it shortly after our call.Day of Surgery.. Sampson dropped off at 8:00 am, upon leaving I was told that it would take approx. 3-4 hours for the surgery and they probably would get started around 9:30. I was alarmed when I received a phone call at approx. 10:20am.. It was Dr Latimer, he stated he was having trouble getting the implant to fit and that the femur bone wasn't long enough and he almost broke it trying to force the implant?!?! I was confused and a little in shock as he proceeds to tell me.. He had to close Sampson back up and do a CT Scan they would probably do the second attempt a few weeks out.. as they had to order another implant .. Now keep in mind HE MEASURED HIM & DID XRAYS PRIOR TO THE SURGERY.. So they could get an implant that is patient specific...I was told to pick Sampson up on Friday.. I met with the Surgical Nurse and Dr Latimer, he assured me the new implant would fit and the surgery would be successful..Since Sampson has had a hip issue, I purchased a RAMP for him to use to get into my SUV,I asked the surgical nurse if I could go and pull my SUV around, and have HER put him in using the sling as they suggested( I thought Sampson might get to excited with me being )Wanted to leave putting him in the truck to the professionals.I stayed in the Drivers seat and she loaded him in.He laid down the entire time, upon me getting home I took the Ramp out and tried to assist him out... I SCREAMED in horror to see the RIGHT HIP WAS OPERATED ON!!!!!THEY REMOVED THE WRONG HIP!!! I immediately called the office ... the Surgical Nurse answered .. I was crying and I yelled to her .. You took OUT the WRONG HIP!! IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE THE LEFT.. She said hold on.. She returned and I quote "DR LATIMER SAID BOTH HIPS WERE BAD , SO HE THOUGHT HE WOULD operated on THE RIGHT SIDE FIRST!!!!!! I TOLD HER TO GET HIM ON THE PHONE. she said he was in surgery and would call me back.He called me back, with a belligerent , condescending tone and attitude... He started the conversation.. WHATS THE PROBLEM ...???.I told him that he operated on the WRONG SIDE! IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE THE LEFT..THEN I TOLD HIM WHAT HIS NURSE SAID.. well... this is when he started yelling at me..He said he never was going to do the LEFT.. that I signed for the Right on the pre-op PW and that he NEVER TOLD his Surgical Nurse what she stated to me.I was hysterical...I told him I was getting OFF the phone..NOT ONCE, NOT A SINGLE PHONE CALL CAME TO ME TO CHECK ON SAMPSON THE ENTIRE WEEKEND.We went up to the office 2 weeks later to get stitches removed.. I went inside while my hubby waited outside with Sampson..as we were early for our appt.I want to the front desk & I spoke to Samantha I requested to SEE Sampson's file ..I wanted to see where I gave permission to operate on the RIGHT... TRUST ME I KNOW I DIDNT.. but I wanted to have everything that took place in the surgery room in my records.. She says okay give a few minutes.. I wait 5-10 minutes.. I finally tell her I want to see the records.. Where I put PEN to PAPER..I tell her I DONT WANT COPIES I WNAT TO SEE THE ORIGINALS.She proceeds to tell me that they HAVE BEEN SHREDDED!!! I FREAKING LOST IT!! Not only this is an open file... By law you have to keep records a minimum of 3 Years!!I went outside to tell my husband where Dr Latimer is now standing beside my SUV, he proceeds to tell my husband he did an FHO.. I NEVER AUTHORIZED, SIGNED ANYTHING GIVING PERMISSION FOR THAT!! I told my husband what happened with the office notes and he says he will go & get them and that we are leaving!! Magically COPIES APPEAR NOT ORIGINALS APPEAR! WHEN I REVIEWED THEM I was HORRIFIED to see that the MEDICAL RECORDS WERE ALTERED!!Apparently DR LATIMER OR SOMEONE IN HIS OFFICE CHANGED THE INTITAL CONSULATION TO READ " UPON PRESENTATION SAMPSON IS LAME ON THE RR"!!!!!!They must have forgotten or HE didn't know that Samantha EMAILED me a copy (using their email & ip address) back in Nov !!It is ONE thing to MAKE A HORRIFIC MISTAKE A CUT THE WRONG LEG.....IT IS ANOTHER THING WHEN YOU FRADULANTLY CHANGE MEDICAL, that is DELIBRATE & INTENTIONAL !!!!! I contacted the DBPR & Vet Board...IN JAN 2008 HE was FINED.. I WANT HIS LIC REVOKED! Read Less