We review the circuit court s construction of statutes de novo. An abuse of discretion refers to a discretion exercised to an end or purpose not justified by, and clearly against reason and evidence. The trial court s evidentiary rulings are presumed correct and will not be overturned absent a clear abuse of discretion. STANDARD OF REVIEW We afford broad discretion to circuit courts in deciding whether to admit or exclude evidence. Whether the circuit court erred in precluding the impeachment of a defense expert witness. Whether the circuit court abused its discretion in excluding alleged statements made by employees of Defendants under SDCL 19-12-14. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Defendants. The Ronans also allege negligence in administering steroids to a patient with acute, undiagnosed, and untreated cocci. Ronan and his wife filed suit against Defendants, alleging medical negligence in failing to properly and timely pursue a diagnosis. Ronan has continued to have severe medical problems. Hoffman informed the Ronans that the blood tests confirmed that Dr. Ronan ultimately had a lung biopsy before the results of the blood tests returned. Richard Hardie, a pulmonologist, recommended a lung biopsy and ordered diagnostic blood tests. After another visit to the emergency room, he was treated with steroids. Ronan s condition worsened and he began to develop breathing problems. Hoffman did not immediately order further diagnostic tests to determine if Dr. Despite repeated inquiries by the Ronans, Dr. Ronan was referred to more physicians, including another infectious disease specialist, Dr. Ronan continued to suffer high fevers, chills, headaches, chest pains, rashes, and neck stiffness. 1- #25813 Despite his failure to significantly improve, Dr. for Disease Control & Prevention, Coccidiodomycosis, (last visited January 25, 2012). Cocci is a fungal disease endemic in the southwestern United States.1 The specialist was unable to confirm the diagnosis, as tests for cocci often come back negative during the first few days of an infection. Ronan might have coccidioidomycosis (cocci), or valley fever. The specialist s diagnosis recognized that Dr. He was referred to a specialist in infectious diseases. Ronan was admitted to the hospital and given antibiotics. He was seen by various physicians, including Dr. Ronan s condition worsened and he went to the emergency room on March 10. The next day he went to see his physician, who suspected Dr. Ronan vacationed in Phoenix, Arizona with friends from February 21 26, 2006. Kevin Ronan was an anesthesiologist practicing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The plaintiffs appeal two evidentiary rulings. The jury entered a verdict for Defendants. **** ARGUED OCTOOPINION FILED 02/01/12 #25813 GILBERTSON, Chief Justice A doctor and his wife filed suit against Sanford Health and several of its treating physicians (collectively Defendants ) alleging medical malpractice. BRATKIEWICZ of Siegel, Barnett & Schutz, LLP Aberdeen, South Dakota Attorneys for defendants and appellees. LANDON of Cadwell, Sanford, Deibert & Garry, LLP Sioux Falls, South Dakota Attorneys for plaintiffs and appellants. **** APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MINNEHAHA COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA **** THE HONORABLE PATRICIA C. SANFORD HEALTH d/b/a SANFORD HOSPITAL, SANFORD CLINIC, BRADLEY E. and PATRICIA RONAN, Plaintiffs and Appellants, v. 6 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA **** KEVIN RONAN, M.D.
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