How and Why Medical Errors Happen
While it might be one of the most advanced organic machines on the planet, the human body is (for lack of a better word) delicate. Ailments and chronic diseases would easily take over our lives were it not for the intervention of doctors, nurses, and other members of the medical field. However, we have to remember that our providers are still human, meaning they can make some errors that can inflict tremendous pain on patients.
So, why do these mistakes occur in a profession that is constantly demanding perfection from its employees? How do patients become victims of medical errors?
Today, let’s take a closer look and find out some more information.
Common Causes for These Unfortunate Incidences
In some cases, patients or doctors may misconstrue information, while some medical professionals may conduct tests in a negligent manner. Here are some common causes of medical errors:
- Poor communication between doctors and patients
- Poor transmission of information from hospital to hospital
- Understaffed hospital
- Unprofessional hospital or office policies
- Human error
- Failure to educate patients about issues
- Mechanical or technical issues
The Unfortunate Truth about Medical Errors
Although doctors, nurses, medical assistants, and other professionals try to prevent mistakes from happening, the fact of the matter is that hundreds of thousands of patients suffer from tragic circumstances. One study from the Journal of Patient Safety reveals that, on average, 440,000 people die as a direct result of errors that could easily have been prevented, and, as a result, our country is crippled by a nearly $10 billion debt.
According to the medical team at John Hopkins, this steep rate of death in our country stems from a failure to provide detailed information regarding a patient’s issues and records. However, the team also argues that doctors are not always to blame for these accidents.
For more information on this problem, please review the influence of medical malpractice (published by the staff of Texas A&M Corpus Christi).
Personal Injury Lawyer in New York
Once a year or on a bimonthly basis (or sooner), we rely on doctors to help us through our smallest and most severe problems throughout our lifetimes. Whether people are suffering from chronic illnesses or dealing with the common cold, our healthcare providers are here to make sure we enjoy every moment, but the fact of the matter is that the human body is, like any complex machine, extremely vulnerable to the smallest error. In the case of a botched surgery or misdiagnosis, patients can suffer even more pain than before, leading, at times, to disastrous consequences.
Although this might be difficult, though, you must remain calm. With the assistance of a lawyer who is experienced with personal injury cases, you can gather viable resources to create a strong case in court.
Here at Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, our combined 50 years of legal experience overlays some of the most high-quality legal services to accident victims who live in the vicinity of Syracuse, New York. We value your perspective on your case and your goals for the future and ready to help you receive the justice you deserve, every step of the way. For more information on our four practice areas or details about a claim, contact us at (315) 314-8000 today.