Medical errors are now listed as the third leading cause of death in the U.S., surpassing diabetes and heart disease. These errors result from both human and electronic mistakes. Consider some of the common causes of medical errors and steps you can take if you fall victim to failed medical treatment in Pennsylvania.
What causes medical errors in hospitals and other health care facilities?
It is easy to understand that mistakes can happen. Many mistakes are acceptable, such as calling someone the wrong name or making the wrong turn, but when errors cost human lives, things are no longer so simple. Whether it’s fatigue, poor judgment, carelessness, system failure or lack of training, medical malpractice is a real problem. The problems of understaffing and over-assigning patients can lead to common errors such as:
- Fatigue
- Poor communication of patient information
- Electronic system failures
Failure to properly communicate includes failing to obtain informed consent properly. These errors and others occur routinely, making it important for patients to be vigilant about their own care.
The most common places medical errors occur
Most medical errors occur in in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and patients’ homes. If you were hospitalized, living in a nursing facility or receiving care at home when you were injured by health care treatment, a misdiagnosis or a medication error, consulting an attorney is a great decision. Proving liability in medical malpractice needs to be done strategically, so you’ll want to entrust your case to an experienced legal professional.
Medical malpractice affects millions of American families, so you are not alone. Taking legal action as soon as possible may increase your chances for a successful outcome in pursuing compensation for the error that harmed you.