Medical errors can cause long-lasting problems, and in the most severe cases, they can result in the patient’s death. In other cases, victims of these medical mistakes frequently have to seek additional medical attention and, as a result, endure expensive medical bills that they end up paying because of someone else’s errors.
A recent Johns Hopkins study claims more than 250,000 people in the U.S. die every year from medical errors. However, several other reports suggest that the figure could be higher, up to 440,000. It is also the third-leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer. This is unfortunate because improvements in medical technologies can almost be considered useless if careless errors continue to plague the healthcare system in the country.
An injury lawyer can help in any kind of medical malpractice case. With the help of in-depth knowledge of tort law, and experience of handling different types of relevant claims, an attorney can help you in seeking better compensation for all of your losses. Let us make the process as hassle-free as possible. Visit a Website to discuss your concerns.
Causes of Medical Errors
Medical errors can arise due to several factors and can occur in any medical setting. And while medical errors can occur from any number of factors, some of the most commonly reported causes of these medical mistakes include:
- Incorrect or incomplete medical evaluations
- Improper diagnosis
- Anesthesia
- Medication errors, including a doctor’s failure to note potential drug interactions
- Delay in treatment
- Inadequate follow-up
- Rushed attempts to treat many patients
- Technical medical errors
However, the most significant cause of medical errors is the lack of awareness of the issue itself. The most significant barrier to improving patient safety is a lack of attention to how medical errors occur in all health care organizations. It is challenging to remedy problems that are not known to exist.
How To Prevent Medical Errors?
Patients trust their doctors to make careful decisions regarding their health. However, some healthcare practitioners become impersonal, and injuries to patients continue to increase. Here are a few tips that can help you prevent the same.
- Get the right doctor! Keep in mind that specialists are specialists for a reason. Don’t schedule multiple appointments with multiple doctors. Stay with one doctor until it becomes evident that you’re not communicating well enough to find a solution for your problem. When it doesn’t work out, don’t hesitate to find another.
- Keep close track of your medical history. Your doctor cannot possibly know everything about you, so provide a full recap of your medical history. Be sure to include any family history of illness.
- Research the doctor. This is a significant step that you need to follow!
- Always evaluate the depth of attention given to your concerns and the thoroughness of the answers you receive from your doctor. If you’re uncomfortable with any of this, find another doctor. But don’t bounce around back and forth between doctors.
- Before you get a prescription, start asking questions. What is it supposed to do? How does it work? Will it interact with my other medications? Some prescribed drugs have dangerous interactions with each other. The doctor needs to know precisely what you are taking! Hurried doctors often overlook these details, and it is up to the patient to guard against inadvertently receiving the wrong or inappropriate medication.
- Understand that your doctor can make mistakes too. After all, he is human! Don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion!
- Another critical point to remember is that to avoid being the victim of a severe medical error, be sure your surgeon knows where to cut! Ask your surgeon to mark the incision while you’re awake.
- Get clear and detailed instructions from the doctor. Do not rely on the pharmacist for this, and do not be afraid to ask questions. It is essential to stay informed! If the doctor won’t answer or hurries through, find another doctor.
- Double-check any diagnosis. There are thousands of diagnoses, but the average doctor only sees about 250 of them in a career. So don’t be afraid to remind your doctor of the existence of other possibilities that may align with your condition.
- Don’t accept any invasive procedures simply on just the say-so of your doctor. Always discuss the alternatives with them. In many instances, the other options present are acceptable, even preferable.
- Have a friend or family member along for every significant procedure. This person should be thoroughly familiar with the issue and in a position to remind medical personnel of any potential problems that could be overlooked.
Preventing medical errors is a prerequisite for developing a safer healthcare system. Despite the efforts of the healthcare system, it is simply not acceptable for patients to suffer avoidable harm.
If you or someone you love faces severe circumstances due to the negligent behavior of a healthcare professional, then you can file a medical malpractice claim with help of a Personal Injury Lawyer in Philadelphia.
Every malpractice case is different and an experienced medical malpractice attorney will know best how to advise you on your situation. Don’t try to tackle a problem like this on your own. Get an attorney who will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.