Misdiagnosis is another potential medical malpractice error. This happens when the doctor incorrectly diagnoses the patient. Misdiagnosis can lead to other problems and errors as well including the wrong medication or treatment plan, emotional or physical trauma, further injury, and death.
Other errors include medical procedure errors. These occur when the incorrect procedure is done or the medical procedure is done incorrectly. Administrative errors and communication errors can lead to the wrong information on your chart which can lead to other mistakes. Incorrect or compromised lab results can lead to misdiagnosis. Equipment malfunctions could cause problems during procedures or death in the event that the equipment is maintaining life such as a pacemaker.
Almost half of all medical malpractice errors occur in hospitals. A quarter of medical malpractice errors occur in the doctor’s office, and the remaining errors happen in other locations such as operating rooms, clinics, emergency rooms, pharmacies, in the home, medical laboratories and nursing homes.
Carelessness and negligence are believed to be the most common errors
How to Avoid Medical Malpractice Errors
While these errors are largely your doctor’s responsibility, there are some things you can do that will help reduce the likelihood that an error will occur. By following these tips, the chance that you will be the victim of a medical malpractice error is greatly reduced.
The best thing you can do is educate yourself. By becoming familiar with your illness and any procedures, it will be easier or you to spot a mistake before it can happen. If you have questions or are worried about something, be sure to ask your provider. The more knowledge you have regarding your condition, the better. If it is a non-emergency, don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. A second opinion can provide valuable insight into your situation and may help prevent medical malpractice.
If you have any questions about medical malpractice, please call us at Schulman, Roth and Associates.
How to Protect Yourself from Medical Malpractice