When a Kentucky Hospital Makes a Terrible Mistake

People go to the hospital when they are in need of serious medical care.  One might wonder what could be safer or more secure than a hospital.  Unfortunately, hospitals can be more dangerous than expected.  In 2003, over 195,000 people died as a result of hospital negligence.  There are many preventable mistakes occurring in hospitals that put the lives of those seeking medical care at risk.

Failure to Monitor

Understaffing of hospitals is a major problem in the United States.  This understaffing can lead to many problems.  One of the most serious is the failure to monitor a patient.  Monitoring devices are only as reliable as the people meant to watch and react to their alerts.  If the staff does not closely monitor a patient, then a small problem may turn tragic.  This can be especially true in the post-operative stage as the patient is in a delicate state and their recovery is dependent on the thoroughness of their care during this critical time.   In addition to physically monitoring a patient, hospital staff must pay close attention to any medications needed.  These medications must be monitored to ensure that the patient does not have a reaction to the medication, that the medication is given in the proper dosage, and that any new medications are suitable to use with prior medications. 

Medication Mistakes

Proper medication, in proper doses, can be a lifesaver.  However, when given improperly it can have devastating effects.  In a hospital, this problem is compounded by the sheer number of patients and their high turnover rate.  Prescription drug mistakes can happen in any patient/doctor relationship.  In a hospital setting, however, the patient’s ambiguity increases their frequency.  Over 400,000 preventable drug-related injuries occur in hospitals each year.

Chart Mix-ups

A person’s medical chart contains vital information concerning his or her medical history.  In the best case scenario, its proper use allows a doctor to assess a patient's needs and to take the action best suited to the individual.  In the worst case scenario, a chart mix-up can result in debilitation or death.  Chart mix-ups occur when either a chart of one patient is unintentionally switched with that of another, or when pages or portions of the record are misplaced or put into the wrong chart.  In addition, doctors may make mistakes when entering information.  Any of these mistakes can have serious consequences. 

Falls

Many patients in a hospital setting have limited mobility.  Others may be taking a medication that renders them unable to walk unassisted.  In these cases, it is the responsibility of hospital staff to ensure that the patient makes it safely in and out of bed and to the restroom.  Often, a patient is unable to summon a staff member when one is needed.  A patient may, though their mobility is compromised, attempt to walk from their bed to another location.  This walk can be dangerous as falls are one of the most common hospital accidents.  These falls can add to a patient's time in the hospital and may drastically increase the cost of their stay.  The vast majority of falls may be prevented by more diligent care.

Security

The lack of a proper security system in a hospital setting can have catastrophic results.  The high profile cases of infants being stolen from maternity wards and violence in emergency rooms speaks to the need for better security in hospitals.  Many have weak security, which may allow people into the hospital that may put its occupants at risk.  It is the duty of the hospital to have in place a security system that protects both its patients and its staff.

If you suspect that you or a loved one is a victim of hospital negligence medical medical malpractice please call Gray and White Law for a FREE CONSULTATION at 1-502-210-8942 / 1-800-634-8767 (toll free) or email mwhite@grayandwhitelaw.com.

Gray and White Law

1- 502-210-8942 or 1-800-634-8767 (toll free)

mwhite@grayandwhitelaw.com

Blog for Hospital Negligence

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  Description: Concerns are being raised over recent studies suggesting hospitals may be exposing patients to over-radiation.

• Lawsuit Claims Hospital Should Have Known Doctor Presented Danger to Patients
• Actor's Family Settles Medical Malpractice Lawsuit With Hospital

Library for Medical Malpractice:

• Filing a Lawsuit Stemming from a Transvaginal Mesh Procedure (Part B)
  Description: If prolapse surgery was done through a transvaginal mesh procedure, and you were injured, contact a law firm in Louisville. Call now: 1-800-634-8767.
• Filing a Lawsuit Stemming from a Transvaginal Mesh Procedure (Part A)
  Description: If bladder repair was done through a transvaginal mesh procedure, and you were injured, contact a law firm in Louisville. We are here to help: 1-800-634-8767.
• Overview of Transvaginal Mesh Procedures (Part B)
  Description: If surgery for bladder prolapse led to injuries after receiving a surgical mesh, contact a Louisville law firm for help. Call now: 1-800-634-8767.
• Overview of Transvaginal Mesh Procedures (Part A)
  Description: If bladder prolapse led to a transvaginal surgical mesh and you were injured, contact a Louisville law firm for help. Call now: 1-800-634-8767.
• Talk to a Kentucky Medical Malpractice Lawyer About Lawsuits for Infuse by Medtronic (Part B)
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• Talk to a Kentucky Medical Malpractice Lawyer About Lawsuits for Infuse by Medtronic (Part A)
  Description: Speak to a Kentucky medical malpractice lawyer about an Infuse lawsuit and to file a Medtronic claim if you’ve suffered health complications: 1-800-634-8767.
• When Medical Negligence in Kentucky Leads to IV Errors (Part B)
  Description: If medical negligence has led to an IV error, you should contact the Louisville medication error lawyers for a no-cost consultation – 1-800-634-8767.
• When Medical Negligence in Kentucky Leads to IV Errors (Part A)
  Description: If you have been the victim of an IV error, you should contact a Louisville medication error lawyer for a no-cost consultation. Call today – 1-800-634-8767.
• When Medical Malpractice in Kentucky is the Result of Wrong Medication (Part B)
  Description: Medication errors may lead to a malpractice claim. You should contact a medical malpractice attorney in Louisville for a no-cost consultation – 1-800-634-8767.
• When Medical Malpractice in Kentucky is the Result of Wrong Medication (Part A)
  Description: If you were injured after being given the wrong medication you should contact a Louisville medical malpractice lawyer for a FREE consultation – 1-800-634-8767.
• When Kentucky Doctors Fail to Diagnose Your Aneurysm
  Description: When Kentucky doctors fail to diagnose an aneurysm, the result could be brain damage, coma or death. For help with your Kentucky medical malpractice claim, contact the Louisville medical malpractice attorneys at Gray and White Law for a no-cost consultation – 1-800-634-8767.
• Kentucky Medication Errors: Radiation Mistake (Part A)
  Description: A radiation mistake can cause serious injuries and result in a Kentucky medication error claim. For help with your Kentucky medication error claim, contact the Louisville personal injury lawyers at Gray and White Law for a no-cost consultation – 800-634-8767.
• Kentucky Medication Errors: Radiation Mistake (Part B)
  Description: You may be eligible to file a Kentucky medication error claim if you have suffered injuries from a radiation overdose. For help with your Kentucky medication error claim, contact the Louisville personal injury lawyers at Gray and White Law for a no-cost consultation – 800-634-8767.
• Kentucky Medical Malpractice: Surgical Errors (Part A)
  Description: A surgical error in Kentucky can lead to serious injuries, prompting the need to file a medical malpractice claim. For help with your Kentucky medical malpractice injury claim, contact the Louisville medical malpractice attorneys at Gray and White Law for a no-cost consultation – 800-634-8767
• Kentucky Medical Malpractice: Surgical Errors (Part B)
  Description: You may be able to file a Kentucky medical malpractice claim if you have been seriously injured because of a surgical error in Kentucky. For help with your Kentucky medical malpractice injury claim, contact the Louisville medical malpractice attorneys at Gray and White Law for a no-cost consultation – 800-634-8767
• Overview of Plastic Surgeon Errors
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• Wrong Site Surgery and Medical Malpractice
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  Description: Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional deviates from the standard of care and causes injury to the patient. This article discusses medical malpractice, including the compensation for injured patients. Contact the law office of Gray and White Law today at 1-502-210-8942 or 1-800-634-8767.
• Objects Left Behind After Surgery
  Description: Even though cases involving retained objects after surgery are rare, when these situations do occur, injuries and illnesses usually follow. Gray and White Law discuss retained object cases, including the compensation that is available for victims. Contact us at 1-502-210-8942 or 1-800-634-8767 if you have been injured by a retained object following surgery.
• Misdiagnosed Heart Attacks Cause Deaths
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Frequent Questions for Hospital Negligence:

• What do I have to prove in order to recover damages for medical negligence?
• How do I find out whether I have a medical negligence case or not?
• Who can I sue for my medical injury?
• My family member died due to negligence by a doctor at the hospital. Can I file a lawsuit on behalf of this family member? 

Case Results for Medical Malpractice:

• Confidential Settlment for Woman That Fell And Broke Hip In Hospital
• $1.7 million settlement for wrongful death of elderly man due to medication error
• $7 million settlement for child brain injured during hospital procedure
• $5 million settlement for woman brain injured during anesthesia procedure

Web Resources for Medical Malpractice:

• Cerebral Palsy KIDS Center

  Description: The KIDS Center is a private, non-profit agency funded by the generosity of individual corporations and charitable organizations.

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