The statistics of medical malpractices are shockingly alarming. Thousands of people suffer and die from medical negligence every year. Patients and their families place trust in medical facilities and professionals to make sure that they recover and are free of the illness they have. However, many of these patients end up suffering more than what they originally did due to medical errors like:
- Wrong medication or dosage of the medication
- Misdiagnosis
- Delayed diagnosis
- Leaving medical equipment like a sponge inside a patient’s body after surgery
- Wrong amount of anesthesia given
- Wrong part operated
- Wrong patient operated
- Causing harm to organs surrounding the one that is being treated
- Severe infections acquired in the hospital
- Bedsores or pressure ulcers
- Improper follow-up
- Premature discharge from the hospital
If patients suffer from any of the above-mentioned issues, they can contact a Miami medical malpractice law firm to get compensation for the damage done to them. Negligence is a grievous crime as it can affect a person’s life severely. In case of delivery of a newborn, negligence can cause the infant to suffer from lifelong diseases like cerebral palsy, paralysis, etc.
These professionals, who study, research, and work for several years before becoming a doctor, should not be negligent at all since it can cause the patient to die. However, there are some reasons why such mistakes occur.
Main Causes for Medical Mistakes
Sadly, even though medical malpractices take place daily, they do not cease to occur. There are no specific causes for medical errors; however, these are the most common ones.
The use of drugs and alcohol
Consumption of alcohol or drugs as a doctor means several mistakes can occur. Everybody knows that alcohol and drugs impair a person’s motor functions. Doctors must have these functions intact or a simple slip during surgery can lead to death.
Fatigue
There are not enough medical professionals to attend the patients coming in each day. So, the existing ones are often overworked. Their work hours are long and they are always on call. As a result, these doctors and medical staff do not rest as much as they should. If an individual is tired and exhausted, they will lag and not have the same capabilities, which can lead to negligence.
Ineffective communication
Operation is not done only by the doctor. There is a team of medical staff and doctors that contributes to the treatment and care of patients like anesthesiologists, technicians, nurses, etc. Even if one of these team members does not effectively communicate the details of a patient, it can lead to mix-ups causing negligence.
Incomplete patient information
Sometimes, the patient’s ID and treatment details can get mixed up. This can lead to operating a wrong body part or operating a wrong patient. Additionally, a nurse might give the patient medicines that the patient might be allergic to, in case they have incomplete information of the patient.
Unqualified medical professionals
While a patient tries to find the correct doctor, sometimes, the doctor does not place the same effort to treat their patients. Additionally, some medical professionals and institutions are not prepared enough to handle complications.
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