New Study: Anesthesia Death Rate Rising, Older Patients at Risk

October 22, 2011 (Press-News.org) After decades of decline, the worldwide death rate from full anesthesia is quietly creeping higher. According to an article recently published in the German Medical Association's official international science journal, the death rate during full anesthesia has reached approximately seven patients per million. In contrast, deaths from full anesthesia only affected four patients per million at the end of the 1980s. This disturbing trend may serve as a wakeup call to alert doctors that special precautions are warranted when anesthetizing at risk patients.

Reasons Anesthesia Deaths on the Rise

Dr. Andre Gottschalk, author of the study, cited the increasing number of older patients undergoing operations as a primary contributor to the heightened death rate.

"For a patient to die on the operating table is rare," Dr. Gottschalk told Time Magazine, "but for patients with serious problems in their medical history, post-traumatic stress after a long operation can under some circumstance lead to death."

The number of patients who die within a year after receiving general anesthesia is one in 20; for those over 65, the rate is one in 10. Older patients often have health problems like heart conditions or high blood pressure that can complicate the administration of anesthesia. Overweight patients also present unique challenges, as estimating the correct dosage of anesthetic can be difficult for patients with a high body mass index.

Special Care Required for Some Patients

Although patient deaths are clearly the number one anesthesia related concern, a great number of patients also suffer temporary or long-term health consequences as a result of anesthesia errors. In the United States, an average of 0.724 anesthesia complications are estimated to occur per 1,000 surgical discharges. As with anesthesia deaths, older patients are at a higher generalized anesthesia risk: for patients over age 65, there are an average of 0.833 anesthesia complications per 1,000 surgical discharges.

There is some risk inherent in any procedure that requires anesthetization. But, in light of the known threat to older patients, especially those with underlying health issues, doctors should attempt to mitigate risk by exercising extreme caution when treating these patients in any procedure that involves anesthesia.

Medical malpractice suits against negligent physicians are an important part of ensuring physicians maintain a high standard of care. Between 1990 and 2002, 5,691 medical malpractice payments were made in the U.S. due to anesthesia related malpractice, with an average payout of $338,190 per claim.

If you have suffered health consequences after an operation and suspect anesthesia errors, or if a loved one died under anesthesia, you may be entitled to compensation. To learn more about your legal options, contact a Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorney today.

Article provided by Ronald J. Bua & Associates
Visit us at www.ronaldbua.com