Medical Malpractice Lawyers Discuss Operating Room Errors

Undergoing a surgical operation can cause stress, anxiety, and concern for the patient and his or her family.  Even in the best of circumstances a surgical operation has risks, but preventable operating room errors should not be one of them.  Unfortunately, operating room errors occur far more often than most patients would be comfortable knowing.  We all want to believe that our healthcare providers have our health and best interests at heart. We want to feel confident that they are properly trained to perform operations and will do so to the utmost of their ability and in accordance to the standards of care.

But what happens when operating room errors are caused by negligence? When a breakdown in communication results in the wrong body part being operated on, or a surgical tool being left inside your body? Those are some of the important considerations our medical malpractice lawyers will discuss in this post.

Cautions from Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Operating rooms are traditionally sterile, well equipped to handle patient care, and staffed with well-trained healthcare professionals.  Unfortunately, mistakes happen, be it negligence on the part of a healthcare professional, or a genuine accident.  The most common operating room errors include:

• Surgery done on the wrong part of the body
• Surgery done on the wrong patient
• Surgical instruments or foreign objects left inside the patient
• Breakdown in communication resulting in errors
• Medication or anesthesia errors
• Improper wound care resulting in infection or sepsis

Between 1990 and 2010, researchers estimated that approximately 10,000 surgical mistakes occurred in the United States.  In total, it is estimated that as many as 400,000 preventable medical errors occur every year in the U.S.  These events have been termed “never events” because researchers reiterate that such events should never happen.  Unfortunately, they do, and now it is up to researchers, lawmakers, and advocates to determine ways to reduce their prevalence and impact.

Cameras in Operating Rooms May Help Reduce Surgical Errors

Many states across the U.S. are carefully watching legislation that could result in some states requiring video and audio recording in operating rooms.  Current legislation in Wisconsin is supported by the National Organization for Medical Malpractice Victims, and has garnered attention on a nationwide basis.  The legislation proposes that cameras in operating rooms could help healthcare providers and regulators better understand why operating room errors happen.  The video could be used as a tool to train and educate healthcare providers and hospital staff as well.  While it is clear that video and audio recording may not prevent some mistakes and acts of negligence, it could help investigators better understand why such events happen, and focus on better patient safety measures.

Opposition to cameras in operating rooms includes concerns for doctor and staff privacy, as well as patient privacy.  Former chair of the Defense Research Institute’s Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee notes that surgeons and operating room staff have the right to speak among themselves about the patient and care provided, without fear that their conversation will be questioned or second-guessed.

Proponents believe that surgeons and operating room staff will conduct themselves more professionally, and will pay more attention to the matters at hand if they know that their actions are being recorded.  Additionally, those in favor of cameras in operating rooms believe that the clear-cut evidence video and audio recordings could provide, could help victims of medical malpractice secure legal representation and obtain a more favorable outcome.  Medical malpractice cases are often complex, and state and federal laws place strict limits and guidelines for proving negligence.

Operating Room Errors and Your Legal Rights

Though you may not have a video recording of the procedure, you will no doubt have physical and emotional evidence if a medical mistake or surgical error happens to you.  Operating room errors are among the most significant in terms of the damage done to your body, emotions, and finances.  If you believe that you are the victim of a surgical error or medical mistake, you should contact MedMalFirm.com to learn more about your legal rights.

As a patient, you have the right to care that meets accepted medical standards, ethics, and the law.  If you have been injured due to medical malpractice or negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.  To find out more about operating room errors, your case, and what legal options you may have, fill out our online form to request a free consultation.

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