Medical errors are all too common in emergency room settings.
Hospital emergency rooms are often chaotic. They can be crowded and understaffed, creating an overwhelming environment. In fact, medical errors are all too common in emergency room settings. However, just because they’re common does not mean they are acceptable. Mistakes resulting from the negligence of medical care professionals often lead to medical malpractice claims. If you have suffered harm from a medical error while receiving emergency treatment, a medical malpractice attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve. Here are some of the most common emergency room mistakes.
Delayed Treatment
Emergency rooms are often hectic, and it can be hard to get seated and be seen right away. However, delaying treatment, especially for certain injuries, can increase the chance of the injury getting worse or leading to fatality. Emergency rooms are usually pretty efficient at judging the intensity of a patient’s pain and knowing when someone needs to be seen immediately. But, there may be oversights, especially if the emergency room does not have enough staff to handle the situation properly.
Misdiagnosis
Nurses and doctors are forced to work quickly in an emergency setting, and misdiagnoses are often made due to the pressure and lack of time to perform their jobs thoroughly and accurately. If a patient has been misdiagnosed, they may be released to go home without receiving the necessary care or with the wrong follow-up treatment or medication. This can cause the patient’s condition to worsen or develop other health issues.
Improper Performance of a Procedure
Medical professionals in the ER are required to handle any and every medical situation that comes through the doors. This sometimes means they are performing procedures that they have little or no experience with, which could harm the patient. For example, if someone incorrectly administers stitches or performs a surgical procedure improperly. These types of medical errors can range from minor to major, depending on how exactly the procedure was performed.
Improper Discharge
In the emergency room rush, staff members sometimes neglect to give their patients the proper discharge instructions. Because of this, they go home with incorrect information, experience worsening conditions, and may need to return to the hospital for more treatment. In more extreme cases, improper discharge can lead to death if the patient is dependent on support from the emergency room.
Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims of medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car and truck accidents, and have secured hundreds of millions in verdicts and settlements. Please visit our website, www.410thefirm.com, or call us at 410-843-3476, for more information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.