The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a specialized hospital wing that cares for premature infants and babies with health complications. If your baby requires NICU care after being delivered, you are forced to place your child’s life in the hands of experienced medical professionals. Oftentimes, you may not understand the full extent of your child’s condition.
Given the stress placed on providers and the number of children that must be cared for, medical malpractice in the NICU is not unheard of. At Marzella & Associates, we have seen the devastation that plagues a family following a NICU error. If you are unsure if an error occurred, reach out to our malpractice lawyers in Harrisburg today.
Medical Malpractice in a Nutshell
Although many healthcare providers do meet the standard of care, some providers deviate from the established norms in treating newborns. If a medical professional breached the duty owed to your child and, as a result, your child suffered harm, you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice claim.
Common Examples of NICU Malpractice
Common examples of malpractice in the NICU often involve:
Failure to Monitor
Newborns in the NICU require constant monitoring. If your baby is premature, their heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen levels must be closely monitored. These changes should be addressed if there are any fluctuations in vital signs. For instance, the normal heart rate for a baby is 110 to 160 beats per minute. Although fluctuations between five and 25 beats per minute are common, they could lead to a more serious issue if the variability persists or worsens.
Administering Improper Medication or Dosage
Newborns in the NICU may be premature or have serious health problems. Given that a premature baby is typically underweight and has undeveloped lungs, hearts, or other organs, proper dosing is essential. Even a minor miscalculation can have tragic effects.
Failure to Diagnose or Delay in Diagnosing
Common conditions that are treated in the NICU include respiratory issues, heart abnormalities, and gastrointestinal disorders. As parents, you rely on medical staff to closely monitor your child’s health and to attend to any changes that signify an underlying condition.
For instance, necrotizing enterocolitis is an intestinal issue caused by a hole in the intestine, which causes diminished blood flow and the death of bowel tissue. It affects about one in every 1,000 premature babies. Although a common issue in premature children, the NICU team must recognize the symptoms, which include abdominal pain, changes in vitals, and an inability to gain weight. Unlike other conditions, necrotizing enterocolitis may appear suddenly in babies otherwise doing well.
If close and consistent monitoring does not occur, the signs of necrotizing enterocolitis may be overlooked, potentially resulting in long-term health problems and death. This condition is not the only setback that can happen in the NICU. If a provider fails to diagnose a medical issue correctly, you may be entitled to compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact Our Malpractice Lawyers in Harrisburg Today
The consequences of a NICU error can result in long-term health complications and permanent disability. If your child becomes ill due to substandard NICU care, the medical malpractice attorneys at Marzella & Associates would like to hear from you. If we determine that a provider exhibited negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for any financial, physical, and emotional losses. To schedule your free consultation with a Harrisburg NICU errors lawyer, contact us online or by phone at your earliest convenience.