Common Emergency Room and Medical Facility Errors
Medical malpractice is negligence that can cause serious injury or death to a patient in Ohio or Kentucky. It’s an unfortunate reality that medical errors happen all too often in emergency rooms and medical facilities, but it does not have to be this way. In order to reduce medical mistakes, people must first become aware of how some common errors occur.
Putting the wrong medical records in a patient’s file
A medical record is an official document containing information about medical history, diagnoses, laboratory test results and treatments for each patient at a medical facility. In medical facilities, keeping records helps ensure the accurate diagnosis and treatment of a patient. If a medical record gets into a patient’s file with incorrect information, it could result in serious medical errors in the treatment stage.
Prescribing the wrong medicine
Incorrect prescriptions contribute to a high number of medical errors in medical facilities. When a medical professional writes information that is incorrect on the prescription, it could result in serious medical problems for a patient. Every medical facility has strict rules for prescribing medicines to prevent medical errors. One of the reasons medical officers make incorrect medical prescriptions is fatigue.
Diagnosing the wrong medical condition
When medical professionals diagnose patients with incorrect conditions, it can result in life-threatening medical problems for that patient. Diagnosis errors are responsible for a high number of medical mistakes made by doctors and nurses. Diagnosis errors are also one of the most common medical mistakes that lead to medical malpractice lawsuits.
Leaving medical tools inside a patient’s body
Leaving medical equipment or devices in the human body after surgery is an example of medical malpractice. It can cause internal bleeding, infection and other complications. Today, medical facilities have strict medical policies to prevent medical tools or equipment from remaining inside a patient’s body.
Other common emergency room errors
Some other common emergency room errors not mentioned above include:
- Failure to monitor patient status – Neglecting to follow up on vital signs can lead to serious health consequences.
- Delays in treatment – Prolonged wait times may worsen a patient’s condition.
- Incorrect or incomplete patient triage – Misjudging the urgency of a patient’s symptoms can result in inadequate care.
- Inadequate patient communication – Failing to clearly explain treatment or aftercare instructions can lead to complications.
Receiving a wrong diagnosis, treatment or any other erroneous medical procedure can be devastating. The good news is that if you’re a victim of medical malpractice, you may be eligible for compensation for the harm you suffered.