Negligent acts that should never occur in a hospital

April 06, 2013 (Press-News.org) Many of us have a family doctor, or a group of health care professionals that we rely upon when we are having health issues. Generally, these are people that we have consulted several times over the years, and we trust the decisions that they make. When they are unable to address our issues, we know that they are recommending the right people to attend to our health care needs.

However, not every medical facility has the same procedures in place. Breakdowns in communication can lead to serious issues for patients at these locations. This may result in hospitals and doctors making renewed efforts to improve the policies, or face potential medical malpractice claims.

According to a recent report in Surgery, a magazine for medical professionals, over 80 "never events" happen each week in hospitals across the country. A "never event" is an accident that should never happen, such as a wrong-site surgery, the wrong procedure performed on the wrong patient, medical instruments being left inside of the patient post-surgery or medication errors.

Many of these events are not reported unless the individual is successful on a medical malpractice claim. This can mean that the actual number of events occurring is actually much higher than estimated, which has led some to stress better training in hospitals.

Doctors and other medical personal have been encouraged to include more planning before surgeries are performed. This includes having all team members taking part in a discussion prior to the operation, so that everyone understands the procedure. This allows individuals an opportunity to voice any concerns that they may have. Some hospitals may even have checklists for their medical equipment to ensure that nothing is left behind after the surgery.

Despite the improvements that some hospitals have made, these accidents are still happening at an alarming rate. While many of these mistakes result in minor consequences for affected individuals, some patients may experience life-long health problems or even death.

Speak to an experienced medical malpractice attorney if you or a loved one has suffered due to the negligence of a health care professional. After the incident occurs, you may receive offers from insurance companies or the hospital encouraging you to settle your claims. It is extremely important that you understand the severity of your injuries before you resolve your case.

If the matter ends up going to trial, it may be necessary to use expert testimony to prove that the actions of the doctor, physician or nurse led to the injuries or illnesses that occurred. This testimony can be difficult for a jury to understand, so it is essential to work with an attorney who has handled similar cases in the past.

Article provided by Steinberg, Burtker & Grossman, Ltd.
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