Case Digest (A.M. No. 2005-08-SC)
Facts:
- The case involves Samuel R. RuAez, Jr. (complainant) and Dr. Marybeth V. Jurado (respondent), both employees of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
- On January 12, 2005, at around 4:20 p.m., Samuel R. RuAez, Sr. (the complainant's father), a Driver I for the Motorpool, arrived at the Court's clinic with complaints of dizziness.
- His blood pressure was recorded at 210/100 mmHg, and his pulse rate was 112 beats per minute.
- RuAez, Jr. claims Dr. Jurado only advised his father to go to the hospital and allowed him to leave unaccompanied.
- Dr. Jurado contends she administered Capoten to lower blood pressure and instructed the ambulance driver to stand by for transport.
- After taking the medication and resting briefly, RuAez, Sr. left the clinic, stating he was looking for someone to accompany him.
- Dr. Jurado waited for his return and instructed a nurse to search for him when he did not come back.
- RuAez, Jr. later took his father to Manila Doctors Hospital, where he was treated for four hours before being discharged.
- RuAez, Sr. experienced complications on the way home, leading to a return to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a blood clot and later suffered a stroke, resulting in his death on September 12, 2005.
- On February 15, 2005, RuAez, Jr. filed a complaint against Dr. Jurado for negligence.
- Atty. Eden T. Candelaria investigated and found Dr. Jurado provided appropriate treatment but criticized her for not ensuring RuAez, Sr.'s safety after leaving the clinic, recommending a one-month suspension for simple neglect of duty.
- The case was subsequently brought before the Supreme Court for resolution.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court dismissed the complaint against Dr. Jurado for lack of merit, finding no basis for holding her adminis...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Court explained that simple neglect of duty involves failing to give proper attention to a task expected of an employee, resulting from carelessness or indifference.
- It found that Dr. Jurado fulfilled her duty by providing appropriate medical treatment to RuAez, Sr. within the clinic.
- The Court emphasized that a physician is not obligated to track down patients wh...continue reading
Case Digest (A.M. No. 2005-08-SC)
Facts:
The case involves Samuel R. RuAez, Jr. (complainant) and Dr. Marybeth V. Jurado (respondent), both of whom were employees of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. The incident in question occurred on January 12, 2005, at approximately 4:20 p.m. when Samuel R. RuAez, Sr. (the complainant's father), a Driver I for the Motorpool, arrived at the Court's clinic complaining of dizziness. Upon examination, his blood pressure was recorded at 210/100 mmHg, and his pulse rate was 112 beats per minute. The events following this examination are disputed. RuAez, Jr. claims that Dr. Jurado merely advised his father to go to the hospital and allowed him to leave the clinic unaccompanied. Conversely, Dr. Jurado asserts that she administered Capoten, a medication to lower blood pressure, and instructed the ambulance driver to stand by for transport to the hospital. After taking the medication and resting briefly, RuAez, Sr. left the clinic, stating he was looking for someone to accompany him. Dr. Jurado waited for his return but, upon his failure to do so, instructed a nurse to search for him, to no avail.
RuAez, Jr. subsequently took his father to Manila Doctors Hospital, where he was treated for four hours before being discharged. However, RuAez, Sr. experienced further complications on the way home, necessitating a return to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a blood clot and late...