Patients place their lives in the hands of doctors and other medical professionals. However, even in the best hospitals in the country, mistakes can be made, and the results can be tragic. Whenever a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional makes a serious mistake, a patient’s life can be in jeopardy. Some common medical errors include:
Misdiagnosis
Missing a diagnosis or diagnosing a patient with something they don’t have is a common medical error. If a patient is misdiagnosed, they can undergo unnecessary or harmful treatment for a condition they do not have. If a diagnosis is missed, that means that a patient does not receive the treatment they need in a timely manner, which can have a devastating impact. Medical professionals have a duty to evaluate a patient’s symptoms and medical history and perform the necessary diagnostic tests to come to a correct conclusion.
Medication Error
During the course of treatment, one of the most common errors that can occur is one involving medication. Prescribing the wrong dose or a failure to account for drug interactions can have serious consequences for a patient. A medical professional must carefully consider a patient’s medical history and possible allergies when prescribing the correct medication.
Infection
Infection is a risk in even the cleanest hospital setting. However, if an infection results from a failure to maintain a sterile hospital or office, it could be medical negligence. Cleaning policies must be in place and followed in order to prevent the spread of infection. Sometimes hospitals fail, and facilities aren’t kept clean enough.
Miscommunication
Miscommunication in the medical context can involve anything from a failure of a doctor to properly tell a nurse how to care for a patient to insufficient notes in a patient’s chart. Miscommunication can affect the quality of care a patient receives.
“Never Events”
Some errors are so serious and easy to avoid that they are things that should never happen. Never events include operating on the wrong body part or wrong side of the body (wrong-site surgery). They also include leaving medical instruments inside a patient after surgery.
Contact an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you’ve been injured as a result of medical negligence, you should consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we have over 50 years of experience helping the victims of medical malpractice. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español.