Efforts to reduce surgical errors

studies have shown that most such errors result from lack of leadership or poor communication. Younger and more inexperienced doctors were the most likely of all surgeons to commit these surgical errors.

One researcher pointed out that hospitals approach errors made in their field less systematically than other industries, and this individual stated that the medical field has to be open on the way others reduce mistakes. The preventable errors that we mentioned about in other posts he feels should never occur.

One doctor emphasized the need for the entire medical staff to work together in reducing surgical errors. “Surgeons are the captain of the ship, but it’s a team effort.” For example, this particular doctor’s staff uses a radiofrequency technology to ensure that sponges are not left behind in patients during surgery.

Whatever Pennsylvania surgeons may feel about safety procedures, they need to understand the benefits of having this protocol in place. Even the best of surgeons are still human beings and prone to errors. Following these procedures may not completely eliminate the errors, but the number of errors can be substantially reduced.

These surgical mistakes can have long lasting impact upon patients. When something is left behind in a patient, that person’s defense system will go into overdrive and possibly take steps injurious to the body.

Though medical malpractice attorneys can’t take back a mistake that has already occurred, these lawyers can make the public and other hospitals aware as to how these mistakes came about. This may eliminate these types of occurrences in the future.

Source: Red Orbit, “Study Shows Medical Errors Are Commonplace in Surgery,” by Lawrence LeBlond, Dec. 21, 2012