Common Hospital Mistakes and How to Prevent Them From Happening to You

October 05, 2012

Common Hospital Mistakes and How to Prevent Them From Happening to You

Medical malpractice is an issue that no one wants to think about when they are about to go to the hospital for an important procedure or examination. In most circumstances, when one goes to the hospital they receive excellent care and leave on the road to recovery. Unfortunately, however, this is not always the case. Being aware of the common mistakes that can occur in hospitals and how patients can take steps to prevent them can help patients decrease their chances of being a victim of a medical negligence or medical malpractice.

Hospital Mistakes

A study reported in the Journal of General Internal Medicine revealed that fatalities in teaching hospitals increase by 10 percent in the month of July, when recently graduated medical students begin their hospital residencies. The study found the most common mistakes in this time period are prescribing or administering incorrect medications to patients.

A 2008 study on Medicare recipients found that one in every seven hospital stays included an unintended harm to the patient that was a direct result of a mistake made in the hospital. These mistakes can prolong a patient's stay, require a patient to need life-sustaining equipment, cause permanent injury, and in the worst cases result in death.

How to Help Prevent Medical Errors

An informed patient is always at less of a risk than an uninformed one. Knowing hospital ratings as well as a doctor's amount of experience can help prevent a mistake that may stem from a lack of practice. When they have the choice, patients should select a doctor who has a history of success with a particular procedure or treatment.

Protecting one's health while in the hospital is also important. Inquiring about electronic records helps keep the hospital on top of the most recent doctor recommendations. Also asking about the medical procedure itself and confirming what will be done and where helps to prevent mistakes. Getting a regular room-clean, insisting on washed hands and avoiding germ-filled elevators also can protect one's health in the hospital.

Patients that ask questions and demand answers are well informed and remain fresh in the minds of doctors. Being a passive patient may allow a problem to slip by without even being noticed. All patients are encouraged to be actively engaged with their doctors and hospital regarding all medical choices.

When a Mistake Occurs

Even with the most proactive patients, sometimes medical negligence occurs. In the unfortunate event that a patient is harmed by negligence on the part of a hospital employee, the injured patient is not without remedy.

Injured patients may be able to receive compensation through a medical negligence lawsuit. Monetary compensation may be recovered for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages caused by the medical error. When a patient has been wronged, speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer is a good first step to take to learn more about one's legal options.

Article provided by Law Offices of Reed Schifferman
Visit us at http://www.schifferman.com/