According to research, up to 440,000 people in the United States die as a result of preventable medical errors in hospitals. This puts medical errors as the third leading cause of death in the country. The cost of preventable medical errors is tens of billions of dollars every year.
According to research, up to 440,000 people in the United States die as a result of preventable medical errors in hospitals. This puts medical errors as the third leading cause of death in the country. The cost of preventable medical errors is tens of billions of dollars every year.
It is estimated that 1 in 3 patients admitted to the hospital will experience a medical error. It is also found that medical negligence cases make up about 2% of all civil cases in the United States.
With so many medical negligence or error cases coming up, it is important to make sure that you take the necessary measures to prevent them. The first step is to become an active member of your healthcare team. This means that you should be involved in making decisions that involve your health. Studies show that patients with active participation in their healthcare tend to get better outcomes.
Keep your healthcare team informed
· It is critical to make sure that your doctors know about all treatments and medications you may be taking. This includes over-the-counter and prescription drugs, as well as dietary supplements such as herbs and vitamins.
· Make sure that you inform your doctor about any adverse reactions or allergies you may have had to certain medications. This will prevent you from being prescribed a medicine that can cause harm to you.
· Make sure that all your important health information is available to the healthcare professionals involved in your care. Keep in mind that you should not assume that everyone has all the information or knows everything they need to.
Ask for information in terms you can understand
· Make sure that you ask your doctor to describe any medications prescribed in terms that you can understand. You should do this when your medicines are prescribed as well as when you receive them.
· Ask for written information about the potential side effects of any medication that your doctor prescribes. If you know what might happen, it will help you to be better prepared. This will allow you to report any problems right away, especially in cases where something unexpected occurs, and you can get medical attention before the problems gets worse.
· Make sure that your doctor writes the prescription in a legible handwriting. If you cannot read the prescription, it is likely that your pharmacist may not be able to either. You may be given the wrong medication if this happens.
Get proper information before surgery
· If you need to get surgery, you should make sure that your doctor, your surgeon and you all agree on what will be done. Operating on the wrong site is a medical error that can happen, but it is preventable as long as you ensure that there is proper communication between all the members of your healthcare team.
· Choose a hospital that has experience in the type of surgery you need. Research shows that patients have better outcomes when they receive treatment in hospitals that have experience in the condition they suffer from.
If you are harmed as a result of a medical error caused by negligent medical care, you should immediately seek the help of the qualified and experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falloff, & Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000.
We know how to win cases. We have been doing this for years. The first meeting is free. Give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you.
