Also known as: Wrong patient treatment
The central mystery of the episode involves treating a woman pulled from building collapse rubble who was misidentified as Megan Bradberry but is actually Liz Masters. This mistaken identity leads to confusion when her medical history doesn't match the chart, ultimately revealing the true diagnosis when her symptoms align with Liz's actual medical history rather than Megan's.
Also known as: Crush injuries
Patient sustained multiple fractures and burns after being trapped under rubble for six hours following a gas main explosion. Required two surgeries and presents with ongoing complications including fever and cardiac issues.
Also known as: Serotonin syndrome
Patient developed persistent fever (104°F) non-responsive to antipyretics due to dangerous interaction between MAO inhibitors (for depression) and Demerol administered in the ER without knowledge of her psychiatric medication history.
Also known as: V-tach
Patient developed rapid heart rate requiring electrical cardioversion, initially thought to be from crush syndrome but ultimately attributed to alcohol withdrawal in a patient with undisclosed alcoholism.
Patient developed pancreatitis with dramatically elevated amylase and lipase levels, initially attributed to IV alcohol treatment but later found to be caused by internal bleeding.
Also known as: Blood clotting disorder
Patient developed severe internal bleeding from five different sites, bleeding from mouth and anus. Caused by dangerous interaction between oral contraceptives and Warfarin given after hip surgery, as contraceptive use was not in medical history.
Also known as: ARDS
Patient developed severe breathing difficulties and kidney failure as her body began failing from the cumulative trauma, representing a reaction to severe physical trauma from the building collapse.
Also known as: Allergic granulomas
The final and diagnostic finding: patient had eosinophilic granulomas throughout her body representing an allergic reaction to cephalosporin. This allergy was documented in Liz Masters' chart but not Megan Bradberry's, ultimately revealing the mistaken identity.
Also known as: Depression
Patient was taking MAO inhibitors for depression, which she had hidden from her boyfriend. This undisclosed medication history led to the dangerous drug interaction with Demerol that caused her initial fever.
Also known as: Alcoholism
Patient had hidden alcoholism that led to withdrawal symptoms including fever and cardiac arrhythmias when she stopped drinking after the accident. Treatment with IV alcohol temporarily resolved symptoms.