Common Examples of Medical Negligence: What Patients Should Know
Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare professional or medical facility fails to provide an appropriate standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient. While rare, with around 13,000 cases between 2023 and 2024, medical negligence does occur, and patients should be aware of their rights. This article will provide an overview of some common examples of medical negligence and advice for patients on staying vigilant.
Misdiagnosis Or Delayed Diagnosis
Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis is the most common cause of medical negligence. This occurs when a doctor fails to diagnose the patient’s condition properly in a timely manner, resulting in the condition worsening untreated. For example, a failure to detect cancer early on can dramatically worsen a patient’s prognosis. Patients need to be wary of doctors dismissing serious symptoms without adequate testing and investigation. The issue of delayed cancer diagnosis is more common in children and young people, who are less likely to have cancer.
Surgical Errors
Another common area of medical negligence is surgical mistakes. This includes surgeons operating on the wrong area of the body, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, or causing avoidable harm due to substandard surgical technique. Always research your surgeon’s credentials and experience with the specific procedure beforehand.
Medication Errors
Medication errors, such as being given the wrong drug or incorrect dose, can also constitute negligence. This may be due to prescription errors, administering improper medication, or lack of caution around adverse drug interactions. Try to keep track of medications prescribed and request information from healthcare providers about proper dosing and potential side effects.
Inadequate Infection Control
Medical facilities can be liable for negligent infection control practices leading to patient harm. For example, improper sterilisation of medical instruments or ineffective isolation of contagious patients could spread dangerous infections. Strict cleanliness and hygiene measures in hospitals and other medical settings are vital. If you see sub-standard hygiene practices, be worried.
What Should Patients Do?
If you suspect you are the victim of medical negligence, below are important steps to take:
- Review your medical records thoroughly for any anomalies, errors or oversights. Look for inaccurate diagnoses, delayed test results, or lack of follow-up on symptoms reported.
- Get a second opinion from another doctor, providing them with your full medical history. A fresh look at your case may identify negligence missed initially.
- Consult with a medical negligence solicitor from https://www.paduffy-solicitors.com/medical-negligence/. A solicitor can investigate your claim, request additional records if needed, and advise if you have grounds to pursue legal action. They will determine if the standard of care was breached.
- File a formal complaint with the healthcare regulator regarding the negligent treatment. In the UK, complain to the General Medical Council about doctors or the Nursing and Midwifery Council about nurses.
- Seek counselling and support. The experience can be emotionally difficult in dealing with health setbacks and the betrayal of trust in a caregiver. Joining a support group may help.
- Collect and preserve evidence. Keep detailed records about your symptoms, treatment, expenses incurred, and any correspondence indicating negligence like inaccurate medical charts. Medical opinions on how the negligence impacted your health are also important.
By being informed and proactive, patients can avoid becoming victims of negligence. Do not be afraid to speak up during treatment or seek further medical opinions. Although rare, medical negligence does happen - and no one should suffer avoidable harm under medical care.