Philadelphia Operating Room Errors Attorney
Operating rooms should work like well-oiled machines. There are dozens of moving parts, staff members, pieces of equipment, and surgical instruments. Successful operations require extensive postoperative planning, seamless communication, and competent and skilled surgeons and support staff. Operating room errors due to acts of negligence or carelessness at any point before, during, or after surgeries can lead to serious injuries or death in patients. If you believe medical malpractice occurred during your or a loved one’s operation, come to Anapol Weiss, a medical malpractice firm in Philadelphia. You may be eligible to receive compensation.
Wrong-Site, Wrong-Procedure, Wrong-Patient Surgeries
Few examples of medical malpractice are as terrifying as wrong-site, wrong-procedure, wrong-patient errors (WSPEs). In the hospital, professionals call these errors “never events” – mistakes that should never occur. While they aren’t common, WSPEs do happen. WSPEs indicate major underlying problems with the safety of the operating room. When surgeons operate on the wrong patient, the wrong body part, or perform the wrong procedure, it points to errors in planning and communication. WSPEs always stem from negligence, as they are entirely preventable with proper care.
These disastrous operating room errors can ruin lives. Imagine having a limb unnecessarily amputated because the OR staff mixed up two patient charts. This is an extreme example, but it displays just how catastrophic WSPEs can be. A patient who desperately needs an emergency surgery may not get it in time if the surgeons are operating on the wrong person. Even something as simple as an incision on the wrong area of the body can lead to unnecessary pain, recovery time, and permanent scarring. All WSPEs are serious examples of medical malpractice.
Other Operating Room Mistakes
WSPEs aren’t all that can go wrong in the operating room. More common mistakes occur due to poor pre-operative and postoperative care, anesthesia errors, lack of communication during operations, and equipment failures. Care before and after a surgery is just as important to the prognosis of the patient as what happens on the operating table. Failure to warn of the risks or not understanding pre-operative instructions can lead to complications during the surgery. Negligent postoperative care can result in infections and other negative outcomes.
Anesthesia errors may also occur. While not all issues with anesthesia are the anesthesiologist’s fault, mistakes such as too little or too much anesthesia are examples of medical malpractice. Anesthesiologists must analyze the patient’s medical history, administer the correct dosage, and carefully monitor the patient’s vital signs during the procedure. Negligence at any moment can lead to anesthesia awareness, brain damage, coma, or death. This is an entirely preventable operating room error that can destroy a patient’s life.
Lack of communication is detrimental during any surgery. Surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and support staff must all work together to carry out the procedure successfully. Miscommunications can lead to dangerous delays, mistakes, and improper emergency response. Finally, the equipment must work properly. Failing machines due to manufacturer errors or poor maintenance can seriously harm or kill the patient during a surgery. You may have a case against the manufacturer, the hospital, and/or an individual staff member. All these are examples of medical malpractice in the operating room.
Seek Help for Your Operating Room Errors Case
If you have reason to believe a negative surgical outcome, complication, personal injury, or death resulted because of an operating room error, speak to the attorneys at Anapol Weiss as soon as possible. Medical malpractice cases can be complex, and they deserve the attention of highly skilled and experienced lawyers in Philadelphia.
Let our team help you and your family during this difficult and often confusing time. We may be able to secure compensation for your medical costs and pain and suffering. Call (866) 735-2792 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.