Patients, whether it is in-patient or out-patient care, trust that their healthcare team in Pennsylvania will do no harm. While most medical providers do their best during the course of care, mistakes do happen, and many errors are preventable.
According to the Collegian, medical negligence is one of the leading causes of injury and death. Errors regarding diagnosis is the most common reason for filing a malpractice claim. Delayed or even missed diagnoses are most commonly found in situations that include blood clots, tumors, infections and cardiac conditions.
Errors that occur during surgeries are also common. Errors regarding anesthesia, including excess anesthesia and vital sign monitoring neglect, can result in considerable harm. The surgeon him- or herself may cause harm in the form of operating in the wrong place or leaving equipment somewhere around the surgical site. Post-surgical instruction, or lack of, may also be the source of a malpractice claim.
Not all injuries during labor are due to negligence, but some are. Childbirth injuries that may warrant a malpractice suit include those that result due to inappropriate equipment use, nonresponse to distress signs and not performing a cesarean when indicated.
U.S. News reports that errors dealing with medication are very common. Patients may suffer due to:
- Administration of the wrong medication
- Reaction with another medication
- Incorrect dose
These errors may be the fault of the prescribing physician or attending nurse.
Infections abound in the healthcare setting, and some are preventable. These include those due to improper hand washing and those that come from central lines.
Recommending a blood transfusion is a popular procedure in a hospital setting, but there are questions as to whether most of them are even necessary. Too many of them may increase the risk for infection and disease. It is a good idea for patients to ask if a transfusion is truly necessary.