Common Types Of Anesthesia Errors
Surgery is always a scary prospect for any patient. You are likely worried about the recovery period afterwards and of course, the fact that you are literally placing your life in someone else’s hands. Fortunately, the vast majority of surgeries performed in Knoxville are successful. However, that does not mean mistakes never occur. Anesthesia errors are one of the most common types of malpractice and when they happen, patients suffer some of the most serious harm. Below, our Knoxville anesthesia error attorney explains the most common mistakes that occur.
Pre-Operative Errors
Not all anesthesia errors happen during surgery. Sometimes, a mistake is made even before a patient goes into the operating room. An anesthesiologist may fail to properly review a patient’s records and administer a medication the patient is allergic to. Or, a nurse may fail to ask a patient for their medical history, which can also result in complications during surgery.
Dosage Errors
Anesthesiologists have a legal duty to make sure they administer the proper dose of medication to a patient. Administering too much medication can result in coma or organ damage, while administering too little can result in anesthesia awareness. Anesthesia awareness occurs when a patient wakes up during surgery. Sometimes, they are unable to move, communicate, and even breathe. Not only does waking up during surgery result in extreme pain for the patient, but it can also cause severe emotional distress.
Intubating Errors
General anesthesia paralyzes the diaphragm, making it difficult for the patient to breathe. An anesthesiologist may have to intubate the patient to ensure the airways receive sufficient oxygen. Any negligent or careless act made by the anesthesiologist during this procedure can cause serious injury for the patient.
Aspiration
General anesthesia can also paralyze a person’s swallowing reflexes, which is known as aspiration. As a result, the patient may vomit liquids and foods into their lungs. This is a very serious condition that can cause lung injuries, pneumonia, and even death.
Improper Patient Monitoring
There are many vital signs of a patient an anesthesiologist needs to monitor during surgery. These include the patient’s blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, body temperature, and their level of consciousness. Often, anesthesiologists rely on equipment to monitor the many different vital signs of a patient. If the surgical team fails to monitor the patient’s vital signs, turns off the equipment, or the machines are defective, patients can suffer some of the most serious harm.
Our Anesthesia Error Attorney in Knoxville Can Help You Claim the Damages You Deserve
Anesthesia errors are extremely serious and you deserve compensation for the many losses you will suffer. At Atkins Brezina, PLLC, our Knoxville anesthesia error attorney has the necessary expertise with these complex claims to help you claim the full settlement you deserve. Our attorney also practices with an MD/JD that is an expert in health law, health care policy, and more so you receive the best medical and legal advice. Call us now at 865-500-3121 or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case.
Source:
tn.gov/health/health-professionals/hcf-main/filing-a-complaint.html
