FOR PUBLICATION
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT: ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE:
TIMOTHY S. SCHAFER PETER C. BOMBERGER
Merrillville, Indiana Highland, Indiana
ELIZABETH M. STRYCZEK, )
)
Appellant-Plaintiff, )
)
vs. ) No. 45A05-9704-CV-169
)
THE METHODIST HOSPITALS, INC., )
)
Appellee-Defendant. )
SHARPNACK, Chief Judge
Based upon the diagnosis of thymoma, Dr. Kapoor prescribed radiation treatments to
Elizabeth between February 8, 1988 and February 24, 1988. Elizabeth also received
treatments of Cyclophosphamide. On February 25, 1988, Dr. Barai notified Dr. Kapoor of
the results from the outside pathology reports. Between March 1, 1988 and September 13,
1988, Dr. Barai treated Elizabeth with chemotherapy agents including Adriamycin and
Cyclophosphamide. Upon completion of the chemotherapy treatment, Elizabeth returned to
Dr. Kapoor for additional radiation treatments.
On April 7, 1989, Elizabeth suffered a cardiac arrest. On April 30, 1989, Elizabeth
underwent surgery to have an Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD)
permanently implanted in her body.
On February 2, 1993, Elizabeth filed her medical malpractice complaint against
Methodist, Dr. Kapoor, and Dr. Barai. On March 9, 1993, Methodist filed a motion for
summary judgment. The trial court granted the motion, but we subsequently reversed the
trial court on appeal. Stryczek v. Methodist Hospitals, Inc., 656 N.E.2d 553, 555 (Ind. Ct.
App. 1995), reh'g denied, trans. denied, Stryczek v. Barai (Ind. 1996). We held that the
"failure to identify specific portions of documents upon which the parties relied to support
and to refute summary judgment requires reversal of the trial court's judgment." Id. After
remand, Methodist filed its second motion for summary judgment on July 9, 1996. On
November 5, 1996, the trial court granted the motion.
Summary judgment is appropriate only when there is no genuine issue of material fact
and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Ind. Trial Rule 56(C). The
moving party has the initial burden of proving these requirements. Shumate v. Lycan, 675
N.E.2d 749, 752 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997), trans. denied, 683 N.E.2d 595. Once the movant has
sustained this burden, the opponent must respond by setting forth specific facts showing a
genuine issue for trial; the opponent may not simply rest on the allegations of the pleadings.
Stephenson v. Ledbetter, 596 N.E.2d 1369, 1371 (Ind. 1992). On appeal, we are bound by
the same standard as the trial court and may consider only those matters which were
designated at the summary judgment stage of proceedings. Shumate, 675 N.E.2d at 752. We
do not weigh evidence, but will consider the facts in the light most favorable to the
nonmoving party. Reed v. Lunzy, 627 N.E.2d 1362, 1363 (Ind. Ct. App. 1994), reh'g denied,
trans. denied.
Before we address the merits of the summary judgment, we consider Methodist's
argument that Elizabeth improperly designated the affidavit of Nurse Judith Stryczek ("Nurse
Stryczek").See footnote
2
Methodist argues that we are "prohibited from looking" at the affidavit because
Elizabeth "designated the entire affidavit including all paragraphs." Appellant's brief, p. 7.
In the previous appeal in this case, we held that "[p]arties may no longer designate entire
portions of the record, such as depositions, but must instead specifically identify relevant
portions of pleadings, depositions and other evidentiary material upon which the party
relies." Stryczek, 656 N.E.2d at 555 (citing Rosi v. Business Furniture Corp., 615 N.E.2d
431, 434 (Ind. 1993)). We have also held that "unless a document in its entirety is required
as designated evidentiary matter, regardless of how concise or short the document is, in order
to be properly designated, specific reference to the relevant portion of the document must be
made." O'Connor v. Stewart, 668 N.E.2d 720, 722 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996). Thus, there is no
error if, in designating the specific relevant portions of a document, an entire document
happens to be designated. See id. Here, the designation reads:
"1. Expert witness Affidavit of Judith K. Stryczek, R.N., paragraphs one (1)
through and including nine (9), Exhibit 'A', paragraphs one (1) and two (2)
showing her qualifications and competency, paragraph three (3) standard of
care, paragraph four (4) indicating material reviewed, paragraphs five (5) and
seven (7) establishing the deviation of the standard of care, paragraph six (6)
establishing causation, paragraph eight (8) damages, paragraph nine (9)
confirmation of breach of standard of care and causation and damages,
attached to Memorandum in Opposition to Motion for Summary Judgment."
Record, p. 31. This is not a general designation of a document. Rather, this is a designation
of specific portions of a document which, as combined, constitutes the entire document.
Therefore, Elizabeth did not improperly designate the affidavit of Nurse Stryczek.
On the merits, Elizabeth first contends that the affidavit of Nurse Stryczek was
sufficient to rebut the opinion of the Medical Review Panel and establish the existence of a
genuine issue of material fact as to the negligence of the hospital. Methodist responds by
arguing that a "nurse is not competent to give medical opinions." Appellee's brief, p. 7.
In her affidavit, Nurse Stryczek stated that she has been a licensed registered nurse
for the "State of Indiana and State of Illinois for over 33 years with a Masters in Science and
Nursing Degree." Record, p. 70. She also stated that she was a professor of nursing and had
been house supervisor at Methodist for approximately seven years. Her training and
experience include cardiovascular nursing, critical care, and "the proper protocol for
administering cardio-toxic medications." Record, p. 70.
Her affidavit offered conclusions as to the defendants' care of Elizabeth in light of the
standards of care for diagnosing patients, the administration of cardio-toxic medications, and
the requirements to inform patients of the risks and alternative procedures associated with
their treatment. Specifically, Nurse Stryczek concluded that the defendants' deviation from
the applicable standards of care resulted in the following: the misdiagnosis of Elizabeth's
condition; the failure to perform tests "to determine the condition of her heart after
completion of the chemotherapy with radiation and the cardio-toxic agent Adriamycin"; the
failure of the physicians to advise Elizabeth of the risks associated with the drugs and
radiation administered and the alternative treatments, procedures or protocols which were
available; the administration of an improper dosage of Adriamycin and, the failure to "timely
communicate the proper diagnosis received from some outside agencies prior to embarking
on a course of radiation treatment." Record, p. 72. Nurse Stryczek concluded that these
deviations resulted in Elizabeth's cardiac damage.
We have previously held that "[i]n an action for [medical] malpractice, whether the
defendant used suitable professional skill must generally be proven by expert testimony, that
is, other physicians, surgeons, or orthodontists, as the case may be." Stackhouse v. Scanlon,
576 N.E.2d 635, 639 (Ind. Ct. App. 1991), trans. denied. Where the offered witness does not
have the "same education, training or experience [as that of the defendant], all of which are
generally necessary to render an opinion of benefit to a jury," the witness is generally not
qualified to serve as an expert. Id. (holding that chiropractors are generally not qualified to
serve as experts in cases involving physicians). Here, Nurse Stryczek has had neither the
same education nor training as physicians. Despite her extensive experience in nursing, we
cannot say that she has had the same experience as physicians.
Physicians receive unlimited licenses as to the entire medical field; registered nurses
receive licenses which limit the services they may perform. See Ind. Code §§ 25-23-1-1.1
and 25-22.5-1-1.1. Specifically, physicians are authorized to engage in the "diagnosis,
treatment, correction, or prevention of any disease . . . ." I.C. § 25-22.5-1-1.1. Under this
statute, diagnosis is defined as the examination of "a patient, parts of a patient's body,
substances taken or removed from a patient's body, or materials produced by a patient's body
to determine the source or nature of a disease or other physical or mental condition . . . ."
I.C. § 25-22.5-1-1.1(c). Physicians are also authorized to engage in "the suggestion,
recommendation or prescription or administration of any form of treatment, without
limitation . . . ." I.C. § 25-22.5-1-1.1(a)(1)(B). In contrast, registered nurses are limited to
make nursing diagnoses. These diagnoses must be amenable to a nursing regimen, defined
as "preventive, restorative, maintenance, and promotion activities which include meeting or
assisting with self-care needs, counseling and teaching." I.C. § 25-23-1-1.1(d). In addition,
registered nurses are limited to treatments which are amenable to a nursing regimen. Thus,
there is a significant difference in the scope of their respective diagnostic and treatment
authority.
Therefore, we conclude that Nurse Stryczek is not qualified to offer expert testimony
on the standards of care for physicians. See Stackhouse, 576 N.E.2d at 639. Thus, she is not
qualified to offer expert testimony on the following: the misdiagnosis of Elizabeth's
condition; the failure to perform tests "to determine the condition of her heart after
completion of the chemotherapy with radiation and the cardio-toxic agent Adriamycin;" and,
the alleged failure of the physicians to advise Elizabeth of the risks associated with the drugs
and radiation administered and the alternative treatments, procedures or protocols which
were available. She is also not qualified to testify as to whether these alleged deviations
caused Elizabeth's cardiac damage.
Of the remaining conclusions contained in Nurse Stryczek's affidavit, she could
possibly offer testimony on the administration of cardio-toxic medications, if the testimony
was limited to the standard of care for administering the medications by nurses. However,
based upon our review of her affidavit and the designated evidence, Nurse Stryczek's
testimony would have focused upon whether the physicians failed to prescribe the proper
dosage of Adriamycin rather than whether the medications were administered improperly by
the nurses involved.See footnote
3
Nurse Stryczek is not qualified to provide such expert testimony.
Further, she is not qualified to testify as to whether this alleged deviation caused Elizabeth's
cardiac damage.
Finally, Nurse Stryczek testified in her affidavit that the hospital failed to "timely
communicate the proper diagnosis received from some outside agencies prior to embarking
on a course of radiation treatment." In her brief, Elizabeth relies on Keene v. Methodist
Hospital, 324 F.Supp. 233 (N.D. Ind. 1971), to support her argument that this failure
constitutes negligence. The facts in Keene are straightforward. Keene entered the
emergency room of Methodist Hospital with a wound to his head. Although four X-rays
were taken of Keene, he was released without treatment. Later that same day, a radiologist
examined the X-rays and "became aware of the possibility of [a] skull fracture and noted that
additional X-rays should be taken." The radiologist recorded his report onto a tape which
was not transcribed until two days later. Meanwhile, Keene had been found unconscious in
his home and taken to the hospital where he died on the same day the X-rays were taken.
The Keene court held that it was "the duty of the Hospital to adopt procedures which would
ensure that the opinion of a radiologist showing the possibility of a severe injury would be
immediately conveyed to the proper persons." Keene, 324 F.Supp. at 235. The court
concluded that Methodist was responsible for the negligent failure to provide such a
procedure. Id.
Elizabeth contends Methodist has once again failed to provide a procedure to ensure
proper communication.See footnote
4
Specifically, she argues that the hospital failed to ensure the proper
communication of outside pathology reports. However, Elizabeth misconstrues Keene. In
Keene, it was the conclusory opinion of the radiologist based upon the X-rays that failed to
be communicated to the proper persons. As Elizabeth indicated in her brief, the Keene court
held that:
"[i]n Fowler v. Norways Sanitorium (1942), 112 Ind.App. 347, 42 N.E.2d 415,
the Court recognized the distinction between administrative acts and medical
acts. Under the test used in that case, the reading of an X-ray would be a
medical act requiring the professional opinion of a licensed radiologist.
However, the decision on how to communicate that opinion is not a medical
act that would cause the person so acting to be guilty of the offense of
practicing medicine without a license."
Id.
In the instant case, the pathologists waited for all of the outside laboratory reports
before completing the revised pathology diagnosis. Upon hearing from the fourth outside
laboratory on February 24, 1988, the pathologists issued their revised pathology diagnosis.See footnote
5
Dr. Barai's office notified Dr. Kapoor of the revised diagnosis the next day. The act of
reviewing the reports and arriving at the revised diagnosis is a medical act. See Keene, 324
F.Supp at 235 (holding that the reading of an X-ray to arrive at a medical diagnosis is a
medical act). The communication of the revised diagnosis is an administrative act. See id.
Elizabeth argues that the pathologists should have communicated the outside test results to
Dr. Barai and Dr. Kapoor as they received each individual report. In Keene, this would have
been akin to sending the X-rays to the doctors rather than the opinion based on the X-rays.
Thus, the issue is whether the revised diagnosis was timely communicated, not whether the
reports were timely communicated.
Under this analysis, Elizabeth's argument is better understood as that the final revised
diagnosis could have been completed prior to receiving all four reports. However, because
the reports were the basis upon which the revised pathology diagnosis was made, and
arriving at the revised diagnosis is a medical act, the question of whether the final revised
diagnosis could have been completed prior to receiving all four reports is a medical issue
which requires an expert opinion. For the same reasons above, Nurse Stryczek is not
qualified to provide such expert testimony. Further, she is not qualified to testify as to
whether this alleged deviation resulted in Elizabeth's cardiac damage. Consequently, because
there is nothing left in the affidavit for which she was qualified to testify, Nurse Stryczek's
opinion testimony by way of affidavit is inadmissable. Therefore, we conclude, as
apparently did the trial court, that Nurse Stryczek's affidavit presented nothing that could
generate a genuine issue of material fact as to Methodist's alleged negligence.See footnote
6
Elizabeth also contends that there are genuine issues of material fact with regard to
Methodist's alleged negligent acts which do not require expert testimony. In her brief,
Elizabeth alleges "negligent hiring, inadequate staffing, and failure to provide policies for
communicating corrective diagnoses from outside agencies to the proper parties."
Appellant's brief, pp. 24-25. However, her complaint does not specifically allege these
claims. Even assuming that her complaint contains these amorphous claims, she has
provided no factual allegations to support them. In Hansford v. Maplewood Station Bus.
Park, we held that:
"[u]nder Indiana's "notice" pleading system instituted in 1970, a pleading need
not adopt a specific legal theory of recovery to be adhered throughout the case;
a pleading must, however, plead the operative facts so as to place the
defendant on notice as to the evidence to be presented at trial . . . ."
Hansford v. Maplewood Station Bus. Park, 621 N.E.2d 347, 356 (Ind. Ct. App. 1993), reh'g
denied. Here, Elizabeth has not pleaded the operative facts as to these two claims. In
addition, although she argues that the "defendants were assisted by radiation technicians,
nurses and pathologists duly employed by the defendant," this does not demonstrate how
Methodist may have hired negligently or staffed inadequately. Record, pp. 153-154. Finally,
Elizabeth does not suggest whom Methodist hired negligently nor does she suggest how its
staff was inadequate. Therefore, she has waived these allegations.
In sum, the claims which Elizabeth has sufficiently alleged require medical opinion
to rebut the opinion of the medical review panel concluding that Methodist did not breach
any standard of care. However, aside from Nurse Stryczek's affidavit, which cannot be used,
Elizabeth has designated no evidentiary material to rebut the opinion of the medical review
panel. Consequently, Elizabeth has not presented any genuine issues of material fact with
regard to any allegations of Methodist's negligence. Therefore, the trial court did not err in
granting summary judgment to Methodist.
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Affirmed.
Friedlander, J., and Mattingly, J. concur
what that standard was and affirmatively stat[ed] that [the conduct in question] would fall below that
standard of care"), reh'g denied. But see Jordan v. Deery, 609 N.E.2d 1104, 1110 (Ind. 1993) (holding that
an expert's bare assertion that she is familiar with the standard of care is sufficient); Vogler v. Dominguez,
624 N.E.2d 56, 60 (Ind. Ct. App. 1993) (holding that "the bare assertion of the affiant that he is familiar
with the applicable standard of care is adequate to resist summary judgment. The specific knowledge of an
expert witness is determinative neither of the witness' qualifications as an expert nor of the admissibility of
his opinion into evidence. A witness' competency is determined by his knowledge of the subject matter
generally; his knowledge of the specific subject of inquiry goes to the weight to be accorded his opinion"),
reh'g denied, trans. denied. However, we do not resolve this issue because Nurse Stryczek is not qualified
to offer expert testimony in this case and her affidavit is not admissible.
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