Emergency rooms are one of the most chaotic places in a hospital.
Emergency rooms are one of the most chaotic places in a hospital. There are doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals constantly rushing to help any patient that walks in the door. If you need urgent care and can not wait for an appointment, you go to the ER. Many medical professionals working in an emergency room are exhausted and overwhelmed due to overworking or understaffing. However, there is no room for error in the emergency room. Medical professionals are expected to uphold the standard of care and provide effective treatment to their patients. Unfortunately, studies have shown that the majority of medical malpractice injuries occur in the emergency room. Here are some common examples of malpractice in the ER.
Delayed Treatment
An emergency room can quickly get overcrowded, leading to a shortage of beds or a lack of available equipment and staff. These conditions can lead to a delay in treatment, with patients being prioritized incorrectly or forced to wait for long periods before receiving treatment. Delaying treatment could cause a patient’s injury or illness to worsen, causing more negative side effects. If a minor medical issue turns serious without timely treatment, it may constitute malpractice.
Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis is one of the most common errors to occur in the emergency room. Diagnosis errors can have traumatizing and lasting impacts on the patient’s health. Diagnostic errors can prevent a patient from receiving the treatment they need. Unfortunately, it can also mean that a patient receives the wrong kind of treatment. Either way, the health of a patient can suffer as a result.
Miscommunication
Emergency room environments are notoriously hectic and busy. Medical staff may be stressed, overworked, and exhausted, leading to verbal and written communication errors. Not listening to, asking about, or properly recording a patient’s medical history and symptoms is one form of miscommunication. When patients are not listened to or staff does not communicate with each other, it can lead to a missed diagnosis or improper treatment.
Other forms of malpractice in the ER include:
- Failing to run the proper tests or x-rays to provide the appropriate care
- Failing to provide proper instructions for patient care
- Prescribing the wrong medication or not prescribing medication at all
- Releasing a patient too soon without appropriate instructions in improper discharge situations
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.