Different factors contribute to medical malpractice, including understaffing. Staffing shortage is an issue affecting several departments in healthcare facilities. Even though the nursing department is widely discussed, rightfully so, some hospitals understaff physicians as well.
Here is how understaffing can lead to medical malpractice:
Insufficient care
Patients deserve sufficient care. But this can be impossible if a healthcare facility is understaffed. For example, an expectant mother in a labor room should be closely monitored to identify potential issues affecting delivery. The baby’s heart rate should also be monitored.
If a nurse or a physician is required to serve many patients at a go, they may not offer the mother the needed attention. Accordingly, a medical issue can go undetected and lead to significant damages.
Another example is when a surgeon is scheduled to perform several operations. They may rush procedures or fail to understand a patient’s medical history in-depth. This can result in severe injuries.
Delays
A patient may be served late due to understaffing. Accordingly, their condition may have worsened by the time they are receiving treatment, especially those with medical emergencies, such as a stroke or heart attack.
A hospital should have a reliable triage department that ensures people with serious conditions see a doctor as soon as possible. But then again, this may not be effective if the ratio of doctors and patients with immediate needs is unbalanced.
Medication errors
The chances of medication errors occurring in a busy and chaotic hospital can be high. This may lead to cases of underdosing and overdosing. Administering a medication a patient is allergic to can also occur when a doctor has to review numerous medical records daily.
Understaffing can lead to serious injuries. You should get legal help if you or your loved one experienced medical malpractice due to understaffing.
