Study shows different medical errors for men, women

New York patients may be interested in the results of a study that found that men and women encounter different safety issues in medical situations. For example, women are more likely to have adverse reactions to drugs that they have been administered, ranging from rashes to low blood pressure to changes in their mental state. Men are more likely to get abrasions and cuts.

The research was conducted by the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority and examined data from more than 1,200 providers of healthcare statewide. The study used big data analytics to reach its conclusion although it did not pinpoint the reasons for the differences noted.

The study also found that men were more likely to run into problem with medical equipment or to fall while women were more likely to suffer from medication errors and errors or complications after a procedure, test or treatment. Standardizing reporting and safety procedures along with access to better data and analytics are all believed to reduce the incidence of patient errors. Since 2010, various conditions associated with hospital stays, such as some infections and adverse drug reactions, have gone down 17 percent. Other studies have shown even more significant drops in various areas such as medication errors and adverse events that result from complications of treatment or procedures.

Patient safety is a serious problem in medical settings, and medical errors may be responsible for a significant number of setbacks and even fatalities. A person who suffers as a result of a medical error might want to consult an attorney. If it is possible to demonstrate that the error occurred because the patient did not receive a reasonable standard of care, such as the use of tainted instruments, then the patient might want to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for the losses that have been sustained.