A recent study suggests that patients are more likely to be a victim of medical malpractice in a teaching hospital, particularly when it comes to medication errors.
A 2010 study conducted by UCSD and UCLA found that there appears to be a spike in medical errors in July, when medical residencies begin.
Over the last 30 years, there was a roughly 10 percent jump in fatal medication errors during July in counties in the US that have teaching hospitals. The study did not see a similar increase in errors in counties without teaching hospitals.
Interestingly, the increased death rate from medication errors seems to subside after July, as residents become more accustomed to the work.
The researchers noted that the spike didn’t seem to present itself in surgical settings since a team of people perform multiple redundant checks for mistakes.However, residents can give out medication on their own, which allows more room for error.
Researchers say that medical errors like the ones that happen in teaching hospitals are America’s second leading cause of accidental death after car accidents.
One of the most important things to remember when it comes to medical errors is that is you’re a victim you must speak out. A 2011 report in the journal Health Affairs found that an examination of 795 patients at three teaching hospitals uncovered 354 medical mistakes.
Common medical mistakes included:
-
medical malpractice;
- acquired infections; and
- other injuries while in the hospital.
Patients Need to Speak Out About Medical Malpractice
If you have been the victim of medical malpractice at a teaching hospital, an Elizabethtown medical malpractice attorney from the Gray and White Law Firm can help.
Call today to discuss your case and find out how you can seek justice at 502-210-8942 or 888-450-4456.