Is Medical Malpractice Ignored By Those Happy To Just Be Alive?
According to a study released by Johns Hopkins, surgical errors that are considered "never events" happen at least 4,000 times a year in the United States.
MIAMI, FL, February 11, 2013
In an interview with Reuters, Dr. Marty Makary recalled the story of a breast cancer patient he saw as a resident. The patient believed she'd receive outstanding care at the chosen hospital, based at least in part on the hospital's own assertions that it maintained a "#1 ranking [and] a comprehensive breast cancer center."In truth, the hospital handled only a handful of breast cancer surgeries each year, a number well-behind what other large hospitals in the nearby area did. The patient's surgery was poorly handled. She was, by Dr. Makary's account, deformed as a result of the botched surgery.
There was no investigation into the woman's surgery - whether there were severe complications, whether medical malpractice or surgical mistake(s) were to blame for her resulting deformity. But, the patient didn't seem to mind. She was alive, and that was all that mattered.
How Often Does Medical Malpractice Go Unreported?
More often than any of us would like to think. According to a study released by Johns Hopkins, surgical errors that are considered "never events" happen at least 4,000 times a year in the United States. Never events are 100 percent preventable and include:
- Operating on the wrong patient
- Performing the wrong operation or procedure
- Leaving a surgical tool - like a clamp or sponge - in the body
The study used information reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). Hospitals are required to report these errors to the NPDB, but researchers warned that 4,000 is probably a low estimate. Not all never events are discovered; typically only those patients who experience complications will ever know that a surgical instrument was left behind.
If My Doctor Doesn't Tell Me, How Will I Know If A Medical Mistake Occurred?
In Florida, medical malpractice occurs when a health care professional acts unreasonably or does not follow a reasonable standard of care that a similar medical professional would exercise under the same circumstances. The result of medical malpractice may be injury, an extended hospital stay, revision surgery, readmission after being sent home or death.
At least one-third of hospital visits end with a patient acquiring a hospital injury, according to Health Affairs. If you have experienced any of the following, it is possible that you were a victim of medical malpractice:
- Serious injury after receiving medical treatment or following an operation
- A unplanned second surgery shortly after a planned surgery
- Multiple follow up visits to your doctor or hospital
- Loss of feeling or sensation that may indicated nerve damage
- A reaction to a medication that you have a known allergy to
Your health care professional should be able to answer any questions you have about a medical procedure or care that you received. Delays in responses to your questions or concerns may indicate that a mistake was made during your hospital stay or procedure.
Patients should not be lulled into assuming that being able to leave a hospital means everything went as it should while you were there.
Doctors are human. They all can make mistakes. When a medical mistake results in serious, permanent injury or death, that doctor should be held accountable. A medical malpractice attorney in your area can help investigate your medical records and the facts surrounding a medical procedure to determine whether a mistake occurred, even if your doctor does not tell you so.
The South Florida trial lawyers of Freidin Dobrinsky have been helping individuals secure compensation after the negligence, recklessness or bad acts of another forces them to deal with serious personal injury. After more than 300 jury trials and a history of achieving exceptional results on behalf of clients, Freidin Dobrinsky focuses on providing quality legal services to each and every individual and family we work with.
To learn more about the Miami medical malpractice lawyers of Freidin Dobrinsky, please visit http://www.freidindobrinsky.com. If you or a loved one has been injured, call 866-495-8060 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation with an experienced South Florida attorney at our Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or Fort Myers office.
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Additional Resources:
Florida Personal Injury Law Blog: http://www.miamipersonalinjuryattorneyfl.com/