The statistics on hospital injuries caused by medical malpractice are appalling. When a research team did a comprehensive review of medical records recently, they found as many as one in four hospital admissions marred by malpractice or some other type of injury, and most of them were preventable. Another study found one in seven Medicare patients injured by preventable mistakes.
Everyone knows that hospitals are dangerous places, but what many consumers don’t appreciate is that much of the danger doesn’t have to be there. Well-run hospitals are light years ahead of mediocre hospitals in preventing these kinds of injuries to their patients:
- Infections acquired in the hospital.
- Falls that cause injuries.
- Pressure ulcers (bed sores).
- Medication errors.
- Blood clot prevention and management.
- Monitoring vital signs.
See our pages on these specific kinds of hospital errors for more information.
Patient Safety Tips for Avoiding Injury in the Hospital
Step One: Being There Is the Most Critical Preventive Step
The hardest but most effective thing to do is to be there in the hospital with any loved one who is a hospital patient. That means 24/7. We can all find a million reasons not to do it, but that’s the first step that needs to be done: have a lay advocate at the patient’s bedside at all times. Read more…
Consult with an Experienced Malpractice Attorney
If you believe you or a family member has been seriously injured from medical malpractice, medical error, or neglect by a doctor, hospital, nurse, clinic, nursing home or other health care provider, you may want to click here to contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney for a free evaluation of your case. You can also email us at info@patrickmalonelaw.com or call us at 202-742-1500 or 888-625-6635 toll-free. We will respond within 24 hours. There is no charge for our initial consultation.
