When you or a loved one is treated at a hospital or medical facility, you expect to be cared for and to receive the attention needed to stay safe. Too often, systemic medical failures break that trust, causing a medical condition to worsen or a new problem to pop up.
Systemic failures such as delayed or missed treatment, discharging a patient too soon, failure to monitor, or an incorrect treatment plan can turn a minor health issue into a major one. While the failures may happen behind the scenes or not be obvious at first, their effects can be life-changing.
For patients and loved ones, the physical harm is often paired with fear, confusion, and lasting emotional stress.
Delayed or Missed Treatment — When a patient doesn’t receive treatment on time, or never receives it at all, it can significantly impact an already serious condition. Even a short delay can have a long-term effect. Failure to recognize patient decline, communication breakdowns, and other medical staff errors can affect how a patient is treated.
Discharging Patient Too Soon — Medical facilities are required to ensure it is safe for you to leave before they discharge you. Staff are also required to ensure you receive proper instructions and medications, and that a follow-up care plan is in place before discharge. When they fail to do so, patients may suffer from a range of complications that can result in serious injury or even death.
Failure to Monitor — If you’re under the care of a medical facility, the staff has a duty to track your vital signs and symptoms and to monitor for any noticeable changes in your condition. If a patient’s oxygen levels drop or Blood pressure and heart rate changes are ignored for just a short period, catastrophic injuries or death can occur.
Incorrect Treatment Plan — Patients may receive the wrong medication, incorrect dosage instructions, or, in some cases, the wrong procedure. Doctors are also required to alter care plans when current treatments aren’t working. Without the proper treatment plan in place, a patient’s symptoms can get seriously worse, leading to possible permanent injury and other health issues.
If a medical error causes harm to you or a loved one, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. It’s overwhelming to understand what happened and whether it could have been prevented, especially when you’re trying to recover from your medical procedure.
That’s why having an experienced medical malpractice lawyer from Weisser Law is critical to uncover the truth and protect your rights. We’re here to listen and answer your questions truthfully while standing up for you.
Contact Weisser Law today for your free, confidential consultation.