Is This Unusual Treatment?

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

My patient had fallen and hit the back of the neck against a piece of furniture one week before she came to our practice. 

She had begun experiencing right arm and hand weakness shortly after the fall.  NP ordered X Rays.  She did not order any sort of immobilization or restrictions on lifting, driving, etc.  She let the patient go home without assessing her social situation, such as who the patient lived with who could help her with care of pets, shopping, housekeeping, etc.  In this case, the patient lives alone and is responsible for 3 small indoor pets.

4 days later the patient called to get X ray results, since she had not heard from our office.  She was informed that she had a C3 fracture and was referred to a neurosurgeon.  

The neurosurgeon couldn't see her right away but did review the case and X rays with the referring doc.  He recommended an MRI.  

My employer did order the MRI but did not send the patient to the ER, only to Radiology.  The MRI was done the next evening and the patient went home afterwards.

The neurosurgeon read the MRI the next day and determined that the case did not warrant hospitalization for traction or surgery.  He told my boss to order a particular type of brace, which was fitted on the patient the next day by home health.

I think my boss and the NP are just seriously lucky that the patient is not a vent-dependent quad at this point.  What think ye?

Afterthought:  What about liability for my boss if patient falls again at home and has some terrible outcome, not to mention the potentially horrible aftermath for the patient?  She does have a history of multiple falls, cause unknown.