Patients in a hospital are often so focused on the issues plaguing them that they might not be worried about anything else. Unfortunately, there is a chance that they will fall victim to hospital errors that can have serious impacts on the rest of their lives.
Many patients don’t realize the full extent of things that can happen in the hospital. Understanding these risks can help them avoid becoming victims of avoidable mistakes. If the patient is unable to speak up and keep an eye on what is going on, loved ones will need to step in to fill the void.
Infections
Various types of infection are possible in a hospital setting. Things like MRSA and pneumonia can occur. The risks can usually be minimized through proper handwashing practices and precautions for anyone who comes into contact with patients. This includes cleaning staff who go into patients’ rooms. Anyone who is going between patient rooms should take steps to reduce the transmission of germs from one person to another.
Surgical complications
When a patient has surgery in the hospital, there are significant risks. The number of surgical errors that can occur are considerable. Anesthesia errors, wrong surgeries and errors in the OR, retained items, and infections are all possible. There must be adequate protocol in every step of the process from before the surgery until the patient is discharged.
Early discharge
Hospitals are in business to make money. Unfortunately, this means that patients are sometimes pushed out of the door faster than what they should be. One reason for this is that insurance companies will often limit the number of days a patient can remain inpatient for a specific procedure. Once that time is up, patients are likely going to be discharged since the insurance won’t pay. This can leave patients, especially those without adequate help at home, susceptible to problems and complications.
It is never acceptable for a hospital patient to suffer harm at the hands of the individuals who are supposed to be caring for them. When one of these issues takes over their lives, they might choose to seek compensation for the damages. This can be a lengthy process, but it can minimize the financial impact that the injuries have on the person and their immediate family members. This is especially important if lengthy and costly care is necessary to address the problems.