Medical doctors, hospitals and researchers continue to make new advances. Unfortunately, for each step forward in patient care, medicine takes a step back due to medical malpractice. As Orlando medical malpractice lawyers, we know mistakes happen. But many medical errors are preventable, and many tragic consequences need never happen. The statistics are stunning: A landmark 1999 study found that every year, some 98,000 hospital deaths are due to medical errors. A follow-up study in 2006 revealed that medication errors alone harm 1.5 million patients each year.
While we have helped many victims of medical error, it would be far better for doctors and hospitals to prevent medical malpractice in the first place. There are many types of preventable medical errors. Patients themselves can help by learning to be more vigilant in questioning a doctor’s treatment. By understanding the most common errors, patients can play an important role in avoiding unnecessary injury.
According to recent information, the most common types of medical malpractice include: Misdiagnosis; Wrong-Site Surgery; Medication Errors; Failure to Monitor Patients Properly After Treatment; Delay in Treatment; Inadequate Follow-up After Treatment; Failure to Take a Proper Medical History Before Treatment; Failure to Act on Test Results; Failure to Use Standard Tests Appropriate to the Circumstances; Technical Errors; and, Communication Errors.
Patients need to ask their health care providers questions about their care and recovery. Awareness won’t prevent medical malpractice, but it can help reduce it and hopefully keep you and your family safe.
