Anesthesia errors can be devastating, leading to serious injury or even death. If you or a loved one suffered an anesthesia error, it's important to understand your legal rights and how to take action. 

Various parties may be responsible for an anesthesia error, including the surgeon, anesthesiologist, or nurse anesthetist. It's essential to consult with a medical malpractice lawyer to determine who is liable so that you can take the appropriate legal action. 

Common Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesia errors can range from minor to severe, depending on the situation. Some common anesthesia errors include:

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Over 250,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year.  While most women diagnosed with breast cancer will go on to live long and healthy lives, there are some who will suffer serious health complications or even death as a result of the disease. As with other types of cancer, early detection of breast cancer is key. The sooner someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, the sooner they can begin treatment. 

Sadly, not all women are diagnosed with breast cancer in a timely manner. Some women will go for years without knowing they have the disease. In some cases, this is because they do not have access to quality healthcare. In other cases, it is because their doctor failed to properly diagnose their condition.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a failure to diagnose, it is important to know that you have rights.

When someone visits the hospital, the last thing they expect is for the hospital visit to make them sicker than they already were. Unfortunately, approximately 1 in 31 hospital patients suffers a hospital-acquired infection. For individuals already suffering from other illnesses or injuries, an infection can be extremely dangerous or even life-threatening. If you or a loved one developed an infection while receiving health care, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim.

Nosocomial Infections Increase the Chances of Severe Illness and Death

Hospital-acquired infections, healthcare-acquired infections, and nosocomial infections are all terms used to describe infections developed at the hospital. Infections may be caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus or E. coli, fungus, or viruses, including the influenza virus. Patients who acquire an infection may experience fever, fatigue, soreness, vomiting, and other symptoms. Sometimes, these symptoms develop while the patient is still staying at the hospital. In other cases, the patient does not realize he or she is infected until he or she has returned home. The consequences of nosocomial infections can be severe. Many patients are required to stay in the hospital much longer than they would have needed to stay otherwise. Some experience multiorgan dysfunction. Sadly, many people who suffer hospital-acquired infections do not survive.

Negligent Hospital Care and Substandard Hygiene Practices Can Cause Infection

Hospital staff have a critical role in preventing nosocomial infections. Often, infections are entirely preventable through thorough hygiene and sanitation practices. Staff should wash their hands with soap frequently – especially after touching patients. Protective equipment including gloves should be used to reduce the chances of spreading germs from patient to patient. Medical tools, equipment, patient beds, restrooms, and common areas in the hospital should be regularly sanitized. Failure to do so can be catastrophic to patients.

When you have a mammogram, you likely believe that the health care professionals will ensure you receive quality care from start to finish. But tunnel vision and unconscious bias are some reasons radiologists will fail to detect breast cancer. These ways of thinking may save time and energy, but they can distort judgment and decision-making. Up to 35 percent of cancers are missed in the United States leading to medical malpractice lawsuits. Unfortunately, the longer it takes for diagnoses, the lower the chances of survival.

Common Cognitive Pitfalls for Misdiagnosis

Breast asymmetry is prevalent in women with dense breasts, but it is a common abnormality in mammogram results. If there is a sudden change in breast density or if the tissue is substantially uneven it could be an indication of cancer that is being missed due to cognitive bias.

Radiologists need to recognize their own unconscious bias to reduce misdiagnosis. New research suggests these four factors impair decisions that can be damaging to patients when examining the results of a mammogram:

You were hoping to take your healthy newborn home. The last thing you expected was for your infant to be injured after Pitocin was administered during birth. If your child suffered a birth injury, it is necessary to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable for medical malpractice and that you receive full compensation.

Administering Pitocin to Induce Labor

Pitocin is a drug that is often given to women to induce labor. It is a synthetic version of the hormone oxytocin. The body naturally releases oxytocin in tiny pulses triggering contractions. In the hospital, however, a woman is given a continuous dose of Pitocin intravenously, causing stronger contractions that are closer together. When it is administered properly, it can help uterine contractions occur at a more regular rate. If it is given inadequately, it can result in injuries to both mother and child.

It is vital for your medical team to monitor the heart rate of both the mother and baby during delivery and that they respond promptly to any signs of distress. A fetal heart monitor will let doctors and nurses know when the baby is lacking oxygen and if the medication needs to be adjusted or if a cesarean section is required to prevent injury.