Medical errors are not uncommon. John Hopkins Medicine studied patient records over an eight-year span. The grief you feel when your parent dies in error at a hospital is what will impact how you decide to respond. There are other things you might be concerned about. Medical Malpractice Lawsuits can be complicated, according to statistics.
What are the Top Types of Malpractice that Cause a Wrongful Death?
Although you would expect hospitals to double- or triple-check their work every day, medical errors can happen for many reasons. These are the most frequent mistakes:
Medication Errors – Medication errors are one of the most common errors in hospitals. A nurse could have given the wrong medication, or prescribed the wrong dosage. The wrong medication may be prescribed by a hospital pharmacist.
Misdiagnosis – Sometimes doctors make mistakes when diagnosing patients. This can affect the quality and speed of treatment, which could have saved the patient’s life.
Surgical Errors – There are risks associated with surgery. But what happens if the surgeon makes an error? It’s possible.
Failure To Explain The Risks – Patients must be informed about the risks before they undergo surgery. Patients and their families must be able to evaluate the risks and benefits of surgery and make informed decisions.
Keep track of all the treatment your parent received. Many hospitals and medical offices allow patients to log into their computers and view test results and doctor notes. Keep a copy of the test results and physician notes in a safe place. Take photos of your parent’s surgery. Be sure to stamp them with the date and time. Name the doctors and nurses who gave care to your parent.
Summarized from an article by Carpenter & Zuckerman.
