Mother might have survived with antibiotics, doctor testifies in malpractice suit

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NICOLE FORMOSA
summit daily news
January 27, 2005

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BRECKENRIDGE — An expert witness testified today that Susanna Martens and her baby would have survived if Martens were given antibiotics at her initial doctor visit on March 14, 2000.

Martens and her unborn baby died the next day.

Dr. Sebastian Farro also said the Terbutaline that Dr. Patricia Duletsky administered to Martens later that evening to stop her contractions was a factor in her death.

The testimony comes on day four of the $1.5 million medical malpractice lawsuit against Duletsky. The suit was filed by Robert Small for the wrongful death of his wife, Martens, and their unborn baby girl.

Farro also asserted that Duletsky did not properly monitor Martens or her baby the evening of their deaths.

Martens died of cardiac arrest brought on by a bacterial infection in her uterus.

During the cross-examination, the defense pointed out the potential dangers of antibiotics to pregnant women. The defense also highlighted a portion of a medical journal edited by Farro that showed women and babies who are treated for Group A strep — the type of infection Martens had — don’t always survive.

Farro said he agreed that symptoms of the infection are similar to the stomach flu, the diagnosis Duletsky gave Martens seven hours before Martens’ death.

The suit is being tried in Summit District Court in front of Judge Terry Ruckriegle.

Dutelsky, a Salida resident, practiced in Frisco for more than 10 years.