Surgical errors are more common in the U.S. than one may think. In 1999, the Institute of Medicine published a report stating how just less than 100,000 people in the U.S. died every year from medical mistakes. However, according to a report issued by the Journal of Patient Safety and as reported by Propublica.org, that number is now estimated between 210,000 and 440,00 patients each year.

The estimate includes patients who suffer any type of preventable harm such as misdiagnosis, surgical error, and patient mix-up. Propublica.org notes how this “would make medical errors the third-leading cause of death in America,” third only to cancer and heart disease (the second and first leading cause of death in the U.S., respectively). Surgical errors are often the most serious of medical mistakes, because they are often irreversible mistakes that result in death.

An article in Medical News Today states how events that should never occur during surgery are known in the industry as “never events,” but these events occur far more often than never. Findings published in Surgery (as reported by Medical News Today) report more than 4,000 “never-events” happening each year in the U.S. And between 1990 and 2010, there were more than 80,000 of these across the country.

Examples of surgical error include extremely severe and identifiable mistakes such as a surgeon leaving a tool inside a patient’s body. By some estimates this happens about 39 times a week. Other surgical errors include a doctor operating on a wrong body part, or performing the wrong surgery. This happens less often, but still at a staggering estimate of 20 times each week. Malpractice claims arising from incidents of surgical error have cost the medical industry more than $1.3 billion between 1990 and 2010, according to Medical News Today.

Submitting a medical malpractice claim can be a long and arduous process. If you suspect that you have been a victim of medical malpractice or surgical error in Connecticut, the most important first step is to seek the counsel of a malpractice attorney. Contact a Westport medical malpractice attorney for a free initial consultation today.

A trip to the hospital can be a scary event. Not only do people worry about possible procedures or tests, they can also be concerned over various situations that can go wrong. Surgical errors, drug mix-ups, and infections that people can catch while admitted in a hospital are just a few of the examples that can complicate what is supposed to be a very simple hospital visit. According to studies, however, one in four patients is affected by some form of hospital error.

If you are going to be admitted into a hospital, there are steps you can take to help ensure your safety. One of the first things you should do is check the ratings of the hospital. A critical statistic in this area is the hospital’s infection rate. Statistics reveal that over two million patients acquire infections from healthcare facilities. For over 100,000 patients, these infections are fatal.

It is important to meet with your doctor some time prior to your hospital stay and review what your procedure will entail and what you should expect. Make a list of any drugs or supplements you are currently taking and find out which ones you should stop prior to your stay. Give your doctor the list for your record and bring copies of it to the hospital when you go.

Other steps you should take include choosing a healthcare proxy – someone who can make medical decisions for you in the event you become unable to do so. You should also prepare a living will. Make sure you have a family member or friend who will be helping you get to the hospital and will oversee your stay and recovery.

When you are admitted to the hospital, make sure to give the staff your drug list. Also, check your hospital wristband to verify your name is spelled correctly and also contains the correct information about you and any allergies you have may to medications. Being prepared for your visit can help make the process go more smoothly, and it may even save your life.

If you suffered from injuries or other serious side effects as a result of medical negligence during a hospital stay, please contact an experienced Westport medical malpractice attorney to find out what compensation you may be entitled to for pain and loss.

A review conducted by USA TODAY reveals how each year there are over 100,000 medical workers who are addicted to or are abusing prescription narcotics. This means that doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and other health care aides working in hospitals and nursing homes could be putting patients’ lives at risk.

Prescription drug addiction has reached epidemic proportions in this county. According to the review, that epidemic is now also deeply embedded in the medical community, with oxycodone and fentanyl as two of the most common drugs abused by medical workers. Because of the medical knowledge these worker have, they are often able to hide their addictions better than an addict who is not in the medical community.

The publication used data collected from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. According to the agency, in 2007 there were approximately 103,000 medical workers abusing prescription drugs every year. However, other studies have indicated that that number could actually be much higher. This suggests that one in ten medical workers will struggle with addiction at some point.

Part of the problem is that many states lack safeguards which would require a medical facility to report to law enforcement when a medical employee has been fired for stealing or abusing narcotics. This allows the abuser to go from facility to facility for employment. And when a medical worker is stealing drugs for his or her own use, they are putting thousands of lives in danger.

It is also rare for hospitals and medical boards to seek disciplinary actions. In fact, USA TODAY analysis reports that between 2010 and 2013, only less than 750 physicians nationwide “lost hospital privileges or had their licenses revoked or restricted for being unable to practice safely because of drug or alcohol abuse.” One recommendation to help improve this situation, however, is through education and teaching ways to identify drug use to both prevent and treat addiction.

If you believe a loved one in nursing care has suffered from complications caused by negligent medical care, please contact a Westport medical malpractice attorney to discuss compensations he or she may be entitled to for pain and loss.