The healthcare industry is focused deeply on patient’s wellbeing. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals leave no stone unturned to ensure patients in their care get relief. Unfortunately, there is a dark side to the healthcare industry – medical malpractice.
According to an expert Atlanta Medical malpractice attorney, medical malpractice is in itself a deep area. It warrants an objective look to identify what goes wrong, and how it can be countered. Here are some of the common causes of medical errors, based on an expert attorney’s experience…
Errors in Anesthesia
Errors in anesthesia are among the most dangerous types of medical malpractice, as they can lead to severe complications or even death. These errors can occur at any stage of the anesthesia process, including pre-operative assessment, administration, and post-operative monitoring. Common errors include administering the wrong dosage, failing to monitor the patient’s vital signs, or not properly assessing the patient’s medical history and allergies.
The consequences of anesthesia errors can be catastrophic, leading to brain damage, organ failure, or cardiac arrest. In some cases, patients may experience awareness during surgery, causing severe psychological trauma.
Errors in Surgery
Surgical errors are another common type of medical malpractice that can result in significant harm to patients. These errors may include operating on the wrong site, leaving surgical instruments inside the body, or causing unintended damage to organs and tissues. Surgical errors can occur due to a lack of communication, inadequate preparation, or fatigue among medical staff.
The impact of surgical errors can be life-threatening, leading to prolonged recovery, additional surgeries, or permanent disabilities. Patients who experience surgical errors often face increased medical expenses and a diminished quality of life.
Birth Injuries
Birth injuries are particularly devastating forms of medical malpractice that affect newborns and their families. These injuries can occur during pregnancy, labor, or delivery and may result from negligence, improper use of medical equipment, or failure to monitor the mother and baby adequately. Common birth injuries include cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries, and fractures.
The consequences of birth injuries can be lifelong, requiring extensive medical care, therapy, and support. Families affected by birth injuries often face significant emotional and financial challenges.
Post-operative Infections
Post-operative infections are a preventable form of medical malpractice that can occur when healthcare providers fail to maintain sterile environments or properly monitor patients after surgery. These infections can lead to severe complications, including sepsis, organ failure, or even death.
Post-operative infections often result from inadequate sanitation practices, failure to administer antibiotics, or neglecting to identify early signs of infection. Patients who develop infections after surgery may require additional medical treatment, extended hospital stays, and experience prolonged recovery periods.
Complete Failure to Diagnose / Misdiagnosis
Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis is a prevalent form of medical malpractice that can have serious consequences for patients. When healthcare providers fail to recognize or incorrectly identify a medical condition, patients may not receive the timely treatment they need, leading to worsened conditions or preventable deaths.
Misdiagnosis can occur due to a lack of thorough examination, misinterpretation of test results, or failure to consider a patient’s medical history. Commonly misdiagnosed conditions include cancer, heart disease, and infections. Victims of misdiagnosis often face increased medical costs, unnecessary treatments, and a diminished quality of life.
Medical malpractice is a serious error committed by a healthcare professional, one that leads to a patient sustaining injuries or worse. It has devastating consequences for victims and families. Not only is it a betrayal of the doctor-patient relationship, but financial costs are incurred in seeking the right treatment.
As such, it’s only right to seek adequate legal actions against erring parties! A legal expert can work with victims and families to identify the exact cause, and then pursue litigation against all parties involved. This can ensure financial compensation, especially when it’s most needed.
