Recently there was a case where a man in his early 40s with no history of cardiac issues died of a MI. He was seen in the ER of hospital A and released. Later that day, he suffered cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital B. His death was attributed to MI. How is it that the first hospital missed this diagnosis? Is it possible that all tests (i.e. markers, EKG, CXR, etc) can be negative yet there is still an MI in process? I ask because I will be starting an ER position soon and I don't want to contribute to something like this happening. Basically, how can something like this happen?
Sorry, I don't have more details regarding the care he received at the first hospital but perhaps you ER nurses may have seen or heard of cases in your dept and have some insight to share.