The phrase “only human” refers to the idea that it is human nature to make mistakes. While anyone can make mistakes, a mistake in the hospital can cost someone their health or their life. Many circumstances can cause medical malpractice, and each of them has the potential to endanger patients.
Medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the United States. The more awareness about what causes medical malpractice, the less chance there is that it will occur. Here are some of the most common causes of these needless injuries and deaths:
Misdiagnosis
Whether it is the result of faulty tests, hesitance to consider a serious illness, or the interest of avoiding expensive testing, misdiagnosis can drastically delay the time it takes to accurately treat an illness. The more time that passes before an accurate diagnosis, the more deadly an injury or illness can become.
Childbirth injures
Childbirth is an extremely delicate process. Infants are dangerously vulnerable during this time, and even a minor mistake and leave a child with lifelong consequences.
Surgical errors
A mistake in the surgery room can result in the patient having permanent damages. Whether it is nerve damage, paralysis, scarring or disfigurement, a job is done right can avoid all of these erroneous injuries.
Medication errors
Human error can cause a range of issues involving medication. Getting the wrong prescription can cause allergic reactions or worsened illnesses. Incorrect dosage can also have serious negative consequences.
Uninformed consent
If a patient needs to agree to surgery or other major medical decision, they need to know all of the facts related to their choice. When medical professionals fail to provide the necessary information to the patient, the patient may make a choice they would later regret.
Lack of attention
All of these causes have something in common: lack of focus. If medical professionals can put their entire focus into their work, they can reduce the number of injuries and casualties involved with medical malpractice.
