Are Medical Errors Common?
We take several things for granted in our daily lives, and this especially reigns true when we place our trust in surgeons and rely on their expertise for our wellbeing. Medical professionals are some of the people we trust the most because they’re responsible for our health when we’re at our sickest. Unfortunately, medical error is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Continue reading to learn more about the frequency of medical malpractice.. Medical Error Statistics Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the U.S., surpassing strokes, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, according to a recent study from Johns Hopkins Medicine. Shockingly, one in seven patients receiving care in a hospital will fall victim to a medical error. Furthermore, an estimated 1.5 million people are injured each year due to medical malpractice, according to the Institute of Medicine. In today’s blog, we will explore the seven most common causes of medical errors. 1. Misdiagnosis The most common medical error is misdiagnosis. A diagnosis error can result in delayed treatment, sometimes with fatal consequences. Not receiving a diagnosis is equally as dangerous; this is why it’s essential to disclose all your symptoms. 2. Unnecessary Tests and Procedures Hospitals spend more than $700 billion every year on unnecessary tests and treatments, according to Healthcare Economist. Not only is this expensive, but it can also be deadly. For instance, CT scans increase your risk of cancer, and their dyes can lead to kidney failure. Even getting your blood drawn can result in infection. This information isn’t meant to discourage you from getting tests done, but it’s essential to be aware of the potential risks involved. Be sure to ask your doctor why a specific test or procedure is required. 3. Medication Errors Over 60 percent of hospitalized patients aren’t able to take their regular medications during their stay. Moreover, nurses and doctors administer the wrong medication to approximately 1.5 million Americans each year; this mistake costs $3.5 billion, according to an Institute of Medicine report. 4. “Never Events” In the medical world, a “never event” is a situation that should never occur, but when they do, they usually result in death. Some examples include: When a surgeon operates on the wrong patient When a surgeon operates on the wrong limb When food that’s meant to go inside a patient’s stomach tubes goes inside their chest tubes instead, resulting in a fatal infection When air bubbles go inside IV catheters, resulting in strokes When a surgeon accidentally leaves a face mask, sponge, wipe, or even scissors inside a patient’s body 5. Lack of Coordination In our evolving healthcare system, having a personal doctor is becoming a relic of the past. If you’re going to the hospital, chances are you won’t be taken care of by your regular doctor, but by an on-call one instead. Additionally, various specialists may take care of you, and some of them might not coordinate with each other. Worst of all, you may end up with two of the same tests, or medications that you shouldn’t mix. There could even be a lack of communication between your nurse and your surgeon, increasing the chances of medical error. 6. Infections from the Hospital Hospital-acquired infections impact over 1.7 million people every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. These may include: Pneumonia Infections around the site of the surgery Urinary infections from catheters Bloodstream infections from IVs Such infections usually involve bacteria that are resistant to several antibiotics, and they can be deadly to those with weakened immune systems. 7. Going Home Too Soon According to USA Today, one in five patients returns to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. This is usually due to: Patients being released prematurely Patients not understanding their discharge information Patients not scheduling a follow-up, so they’re unaware about the status of their condition General treatment complications The transition from hospital to home is a vulnerable time, and a combination of miscommunication and lack of aftercare can be deadly. How Can I Be More Vigilant as a Patient? Here are a few ways you can be more proactive as a patient: Ask questions: Gain as much insight as you can from the hospital. Ask about the benefits, side effects, and disadvantages of a medication or procedure. Seek a secondary perspective: If you’re uncertain about a procedure, you should ask another doctor for their opinion. A good doctor will welcome confirmation of their diagnosis, and they shouldn’t discourage their patient from doing their research. Bring an advocate: When you’re at the doctor’s office, it may be hard to process all the information by yourself. Bring a family member or friend to your appointment so they can help you keep track of information and ask additional questions. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Can Help You Surgeons and hospitals owe a professional duty of care to their patients. If you’ve suffered a physical injury or emotional trauma due to a negligent doctor’s actions, you may be eligible for compensation. An experienced medical malpractice attorney at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton can help you receive damages. We’re a client-centered law firm dedicated to seeking justice for injury and wrongful death victims. Schedule a free case evaluation today.
What Causes Medical Errors in Hospitals?
Medical errors happen more times than they should. Some mistakes can result in the loss of loved ones and friends. Today, we’ll discuss what causes medical errors in hospitals and how you can help prevent them. Causes of Medical Errors Miscommunication is the leading cause of medical errors. Other causes include: Human error Insufficient information flow Patient-related problems Organizational transfer of knowledge Technical failures Inadequate policies Staffing patterns and workflow Read on to learn more about these medical error causes and why they happen. Why Medical Errors Happen Whether verbal or written, miscommunication between doctors, nurses, patients, or healthcare team members, pose a severe risk to patients. Inadequate information can pose the following problems: the absence of crucial information when needed to influence prescribing decisions, poor coordination of transfer of care or medication orders, and lack of correct communication of test results. Some patient-related issues that contribute to medical errors are incorrect patient identification, failure to get consent, incomplete or insufficient patient assessment, and poor patient education. In an organizational transfer of knowledge, inconsistent or incorrect training or ineffectual education for caregivers cause medical errors. New employees or temporary help require the adequate transfer of knowledge, which is critical in most areas. Another area where medical errors occur readily is staffing patterns and workflow. A lack of enough staffing can put healthcare workers in situations that lead to mistakes. Also, technical failures with equipment, medical devices, implants, or grafts can all cause complications. The final cause of medical errors is inadequate policies on the process of care, which you can typically trace back to poor documentation or non-existent or inefficient procedures. Ways to Protect Yourself and Family The number one way you can prevent medical errors is by being an active member of your healthcare team. That means taking part in every health decision. It’s also essential to keep your healthcare team informed by: Ensuring all of your doctors know what medicines you are taking, which includes prescriptions, over-the-counter, supplements, herbs, and vitamins Keeping the doctor aware of any allergies you have, even ones you have adverse reactions or severe side effects to Letting your doctors know all the applicable information they need to know about you Making them aware of any changes in symptoms or medication effects Another way to prevent medical errors is to get information about your medication in terms you can understand. Ask the physician and pharmacist about directions, side effects, dosage, or any other relevant information you need to know before you leave the hospital, clinic, or pharmacy. Ask for all ingredients in medication and ensure when the doctor writes the prescription (most are digital now), that you can read it. Prevent medical errors in the hospital by choosing one where many patients have had procedures or surgeries. Observe if healthcare professionals wash their hands when in direct contact with you. Before any procedure or surgery, make sure you and your doctor know exactly what’s being done and where to reduce confusion during or after surgery. This is a rare situation, but it does happen. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Can Help If you’ve been the victim of a medical error and want to know your options, contact us. We can discuss your situation and help you make an informed decision.