Undergoing surgery is scary enough. No one wants to think about the fact that mistakes can happen.
In fact, surgical errors are far more common than most people think. According to a 2019 review in the British Medical Journal, approximately 1 in 20 patients are the victims of negligent medical care that results in injuries. Surgical errors are medical malpractice when any member of the medical team failed to provide the appropriate standard of care and the patient suffers harm as a result. Below, our Columbia medical malpractice lawyer outlines common surgical errors and what to do about them.
Anesthesia Errors
Anesthesia mistakes are some of the most common types of surgical errors. These mistakes are particularly traumatic. For example, if too much anesthesia is administered, it can cause oxygen deprivation, which can cause stroke, brain injury, or death. If not enough anesthesia is administered, patients can suffer from accidental awareness during general anesthesia, which causes them to be aware of the surgery and remember it. This can result in anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder afterwards. Too little anesthesia can also cause unnecessary pain during and after the surgery.
Surgical Equipment Left Inside Patients
Retained surgical instruments occur when surgeons and members of the medical team leave surgical equipment inside a patient. Of all the different types of retained surgical instruments, surgical sponges are the most common. Retained surgical instruments can cause serious permanent harm, such as death, as well as serious temporary harm, such as falls. Retained surgical instruments occur in approximately 1 in every 1,000 abdominal surgeries, according to the Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences.
Surgery on the Wrong Body Part
There are a number of ways surgery can be performed on the wrong body part. These include:
- Operating on the wrong body part, such as performing surgery on the wrong area of the spine
- Performing the wrong procedure
- Performing surgery on the wrong patient
Wrong-site surgeries happen approximately 40 times a week throughout the United States.
Additionally, when surgeons perform the wrong procedure on a patient, the results can be devastating. To make matters worse, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has stated that when medical professionals mistakenly perform the wrong procedure on a Medicare beneficiary, CMS will not cover the costs of the surgery.
How Do Surgical Mistakes Happen?
There are many reasons for surgical errors and medical malpractice. These range from a lack of training to audio distractions.
However, the most common causes of surgical mistakes are as follows:
- Improper communication
- Failing to follow surgery safety checklists
- Impairment by drugs or alcohol
Improper Communication
Improper communication is a common issue that results in surgical mistakes. A breakdown in communication can occur between surgeons, nurses, and other members of the medical team. A study published in the British Medical Journal showed that improper communication between surgeons and anesthesiologists before an operation is a very common issue. The study also showed that improper communication in any area of surgery causes severe harm to patients.
Failing to Follow Surgery Safety Checklists
Surgery safety checklists ensure that surgeons and their medical team take the proper measures before, during, and after surgery, helping to streamline safety protocols. For example, the medical team should always count the different pieces of equipment and tools prior to a surgery. Once a surgery has been completed, but before the surgery site has been closed, the medical team should count tools and equipment again. This can account for all surgical tools and ensure that none are left inside the patient. When these checklists are not followed, surgical errors and medical malpractice can occur.
Impairment by Drugs or Alcohol
Tragedy can ensue when surgeons or other medical professionals are impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Being a surgeon is an extremely stressful job, and so, addiction is quite common. Surgeons also have an intricate knowledge of medical drugs, which can make it very difficult for patients to recognize when a surgeon or other healthcare professional is impaired.
What Can Patients Do About Common Surgical Errors?
While surgical mistakes are common, that does not help with the devastating effects patients suffer afterwards. If you or someone you love has been hurt, you may be able to file a claim against the offending medical professional or hospital. To obtain the full compensation you are entitled to, there are certain steps to take. These are as follows:
- Document the injury: Gather all pertinent medical records such as postoperative care records, surgical reports, and any documentation regarding your follow-up after surgery. This can prove that a surgical mistake occurred and that you suffered harm as a result.
- Consult a medical expert: A medical expert can review the medical documentation you have gathered to determine if the surgeon or other medical professional provided you with the proper standard of care. Although this is not required in South Carolina surgical errors medical malpractice cases, it is invaluable when proving your claim.
- Keep a pain journal: Over time, your memories may fade. This is particularly true if you are on heavy medication for your pain and other types of treatment after surgery. A pain journal can help you prove the level of pain you experienced and how your injuries impacted your life.
- Contact a Columbia medical malpractice lawyer: A Columbia medical malpractice lawyer can review the facts of your case and negotiate with the other side on your behalf to help you obtain full damages.
Contact Our Columbia Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today
If you have suffered from common surgical errors or any other, errors you need legal advice. At Rikard & Protopapas, our Columbia medical malpractice lawyer can help you make things right. Our experienced attorney works with medical experts and can consult with them to determine if the standard of care was breached in your case. We will then aggressively pursue the full compensation you are entitled to so you do not feel the financial burden of your injury. Contact us to schedule a free review of your case and to learn more about how we can help.