Medical Malpractice Lawyer

 

Surgical Errors

Medical and surgical errors take the lives of up to 100,000 people and injure thousands more. With so much focus on medical malpractice reform, surgical errors have been under higher scrutiny. The more extensive media spotlight on medical malpractice has enabled patients to be more aware of becoming informed and being more proactive in getting educated about their individual health care.

The plastic surgery surge over the last couple years has also stressed the need for patients to question what type of procedures are being performed and how it can affect them as the number of surgical errors is becoming a problem with unqualified and inexperienced surgeons. Patients that are more informed have a better chance for positive outcomes and less risk of surgical errors because they have questioned all aspects and made sure the doctor is qualified and prepared. Many patients fail to get the information they need because they are unsure of what questions to even ask.

The more questions the patient asks, the less likely for surgical errors because the patient has confronted the doctor with all aspects of the procedure and maybe caused the doctor to more closely examine certain techniques. Patients that are aware of what is involved with their medical procedures can also learn of ways to prepare that can help reduce possible contributors of surgical errors. Questioning doctors can keep everyone involved in the surgical procedure more on top of what is going on.

A new campaign has just been launched to give patients advice on what type of questions they can ask to better promote safer surgery and reduce instances of surgical errors. Included in the campaign are five questions that can allow the patient to determine what other treatment options exist, what type of instruments will be used in the surgery, which can contribute to surgical errors, as well as other important factors. Over one third of all surgical errors in ambulatory surgery centers and nearly one fifth of all surgical errors in a hospital setting are because the surgeon has performed on the wrong part of the body.

This is a surprisingly high number of surgical errors that can easily be prevented. Steps like verifying the surgeon will perform the correct procedure on the appropriate bodily area can help eliminate the surgical errors that are the result of carelessness. While some patients may assume the surgeon is aware of where the procedure is being performed, it does not hurt to make sure since the frequency of that type of surgical error is so widespread.

Getting general information about the surgery, the preparation for the surgery, ways to pick a qualified surgeon, what types of questions to ask about the surgery, and what to expect from the surgery and during recovery are topics that patients should be equipped with. Smarter patients can help reduce the number of surgical errors by making sure medical staff is staying alert and paying attention to every detail.

For more information on surgical errors,
please contact us.

More Information on Surgical Malpractice:

Surgical Malpractice

Surgical Mistakes

Surgical Errors

Medical Malpractice Lawyer is an informational resource regarding medical malpractice.

Would you like a FREE, confidential consultation with a medical malpractice lawyer in your area? click here

Contact a medical malpractice lawyer if you have any questions regarding a medical malpractice case, we would be glad to help. We are very interested in your comments, questions and suggestions on how to improve and better serve you.

The Resources contains links to general information sites regarding medical malpractice lawyers

Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer
Representing injured and wrongful death victims.

Further Legal Information

Personal Injury
Have a personal injury case? Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer.

Medical Malpractice
National Medical Malpractice Lawyers and news