When you check in at the hospital for a surgical procedure, you hope everyone attending to you (the surgeons, anesthetists and the nurses) has the resources and expertise and experience necessary to help you recover and get back on your feet. And most often, this is what happens. Thanks to advances in medical technology, a great number of surgical procedures are remarkably successful.
However, mistakes happen. And one of the most devastating mistakes that can happen in the operating room involves the administration of anesthesia. While anesthesia errors can be caused by a variety of factors, negligence is often the main factor.
Here are two anesthesia mistakes that can lead to serious injuries.
Dosage errors
Before a surgical procedure, the patient must receive the right dosage of anesthesia. And this is determined by a number of factors. A failure to administer the right anesthesia dosage can result in severe complications such as the patient waking up before the completion of the procedure or the patient taking too long to wake up after the procedure.
Documentation errors
Patients need proper care after a surgical procedure. And this is where documentation comes in. This includes providing a clear description of the patient’s postoperative pain management. Lack of proper documentation can result in mistreatment or failure to diagnose any follow-up complications.
Holding the liable party accountable
Anesthesia mistakes can lead to serious injuries like brain and organ damage, paralysis or even death. If you or someone you love sustains anesthesia-related injuries, you need to pursue the liable party for damages through a medical malpractice claim. This involves filing your claim within two years from the date of your injury. It also involves obtaining the right evidence to justify your claim.
Anesthesia errors can leave you with far-reaching health complications. Knowing your legal options can help you safeguard your rights and interests while pursuing damages resulting from anesthesia mistakes during your surgery.
