Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, but often times the victims of these errors never learn the full story.
Sometimes a risk of a procedure occurs and it is not because the surgeon was negligent. But sometimes a risk occurs because of negligence. The informed consent form should not be used to shield surgeons from liability in both situations.
According to a 2013 study, about one-fourth of operating room errors are caused by technology and equipment problems.
Recently, researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston published a study that found medication errors during surgery were much more common than previously thought.
Poorer outcomes occur in surgeries performed on the weekend and holidays. A recent study hopes to remedy this situation.
A “growing movement,” including both doctors and the relatives of those hurt or killed in operations, is advocating for putting audio and video recording devices in operating rooms to allow for greater transparency.
A recent Consumer Reports article describes a link between respectful treatment by health care works and fewer preventable medical errors. Unfortunately the converse is true: disrespectful doctors and nurses make more medical errors causing harm.
Recently, three top national medical systems decided to stop low volume procedures from occurring in their systems, ostensibly to increase patient safety
The "Standard of Care" is something a jury decides, including not only evidence of how doctors in Washington state actually practice, but also what experts for both sides say is the standard.
Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) are a relatively new phenomenon. While there can be some benefit to having a surgical procedure at an ASC, there are good reasons to be careful, not the least of which is that surgeons and anesthesiologists often have a strong financial interest in performing your surgery there, when it may not be the safest choice for you.
