Opinion ID: 2114741
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Dorris v. Detroit Osteopathic Hospital

Text: This is an interlocutory appeal in a medical malpractice action. Plaintiffs Deborah Dorris and Raymond Dorris [1] appeal the Court of Appeals reversal of the trial court's order compelling defendant Detroit Osteopathic Hospital Corporation to reveal the name of the patient who shared a hospital room with Dorris. Plaintiff Dorris visited the Riverside Osteopathic Hospital [2] emergency room on the evening of June 18, 1993, complaining of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The emergency room physician, Dr. Lusk, prescribed the drug Compazine, which was administered intravenously. After the Compazine was administered, Dorris had an apparent anaphylactic reaction to the drug. Dorris' condition later stabilized, and she was discharged within twenty-four hours. Dorris claimed that she had refused the Compazine because she had a history of allergic reactions to medicines. Dorris alleged that she instead requested Lomatil, which she previously had taken without incident, but Dr. Lusk refused her request. Dorris stated that she also told the nurse who put Compazine into the intravenous bag that she did not want the medicine. Dorris filed suit in March 1994 and alleged that the hospital's employee negligently administered Compazine in violation of the standard of care for an emergency room physician and against Dorris' specific instructions. Dorris' complaint alleges damages for the allergic reaction, as well as pain, suffering, humiliation, and great emotional and mental distress. Dorris' husband alleges damages as a result of loss of consortium. Dorris claims that the patient who shared her hospital room witnessed Dorris' refusals of Compazine. During discovery, plaintiff moved to compel defendant to disclose the name of that patient. The circuit court granted the motion. The Court of Appeals reversed. 220 Mich.App. 248, 559 N.W.2d 76 (1996). The Court of Appeals based its holding on Schechet v. Kesten, 372 Mich. 346, 351, 126 N.W.2d 718 (1964). In Schechet, this Court stated that M.C.L. § 600.2157; MSA 27A.2157 prohibits the physician from disclosing, in the course of any action wherein his patient or patients are not involved and do not consent, even the names of such noninvolved patients. Plaintiff Dorris appeals the decision of the Court of Appeals. 457 Mich. 866, 581 N.W.2d 733 (1998).