In order for a case to qualify as malpractice, a doctor’s conduct needs to fall below the medically accepted standard, causing harm to the patient.Not being satisfied with the outcome of a medical procedure is not sufficient enough for filing a malpractice lawsuit. Yet, certain instances are clear indicators.
Common Surgical Errors
Some of the more common errors during surgery that point to malpractice are:
- Surgery at the wrong site
- Incorrect incisions
- Leaving equipment or supplies inside a patient
- Operating on the wrong patient
- Nerve damage
- Anesthesiology errors
- Post-operative infections and sepsis
- Puncturing or perforating a neighboring organ
While patients are required to sign informed consent documents, alerting them to all known risks and errors listed above fall outside this scope.
How Do the Errors Occur?
Some of the more common reasons for these errors are:
- Doctors and staff not following protocol before, during and after the procedure, such as examining the patient’s medical history and evaluating the procedure’s risk.
- Lack of communication, like incorrectly identifying the incision site or misidentifying the patient.
- Staff doesn’t account for all equipment before and after the procedure. As a result, doctors have left tools and surgical sponges inside of patients.
- Surgeons work long hours or are under the influence of alcohol or alertness aids on the job
- Equipment isn’t properly sterilized.
- Staff takes shortcuts during surgery.
- The surgeon isn’t thoroughly trained to perform the procedure.
- The doctor uses equipment known to be defective.
As a result of these errors, patients end up needing multiple revision procedures, which lead to higher medical bills and more time off from work.
None of the errors above are excusable; doctors and staff need to be held accountable for their actions. If you have been harmed by negligence during a surgical procedure, bring your claim to Trantolo & Trantolo’s medical malpractice lawyers. Contact any of our Connecticut locations to learn more.
