[Missed clavicle fracture, deep vein thrombosis following bicycle accident with head and chest trauma]

Abstract

A 57-year-old patient suffered head and chest trauma following a bicycle accident. After 12 days in hospital with early mobilization the patient developed a deep vein thrombosis 5 days after being discharged and the family physician diagnosed a non-displaced clavicle fracture. The patient complained that no thrombosis prophylaxis had been carried out during the stay in hospital and the clavicle fracture had been overlooked. The expert opinion from the arbitration board determined that no health limitations had occurred as a result of the missed clavicle fracture. There were no indications for anticoagulation in accordance with the guidelines due to a lack of risk factors and the event was deemed unpreventable.