Anesthesia is an essential aspect of many medical procedures. However, errors in providing this medication can result in significant harm to patients. What issues can arise during these procedures and impact patient health?
Errors in the dosage
Getting the dosage of anesthesia right is very important. Giving too much can cause a patient to stay unconscious for too long or face life-threatening issues. Not giving enough can result in a patient waking up during surgery and feeling the pain of the procedure. They may suffer from severe mental distress as a result.
These mistakes in dosage can happen because of wrong calculations, poor communication or simple human errors. They are especially common among less experienced doctors, who make twice as many medication errors as their more experienced colleagues.
Delayed delivery
Doctors must provide anesthesia at the right time for it to be effective. Delays might happen because of equipment problems, errors in preparation or poor communication. Delays can lead to unnecessary pain or distress for the patient. They may also complicate the surgery and recovery.
Improper monitoring
Once a patient receives anesthesia, providers must monitor them closely. Not monitoring their vital signs can lead to serious problems like hypoxia, where not enough oxygen reaches the brain and other organs. This can cause brain damage or other permanent injuries.
Failure to recognize and respond to complications
Complications during anesthesia can arise swiftly and without warning. It is crucial that medical staff can spot and deal with these issues quickly. Not doing so can lead to severe consequences, including permanent injury or death.
Poor technique
The technique used giving patients these medications is just as important as the dosage and type of medication they receive. Poor technique can lead to serious injuries. For example, mistakes in giving regional anesthesia can lead to nerve damage or other injuries to the area.
Allergic reactions
Before giving anesthesia, doctors must check the patient’s medical history for possible allergies. While rare— affecting about one in 10,000 patients – allergic reactions to these medications can be deadly. Signs of an allergic reaction might include hives, swelling, trouble breathing or anaphylaxis. It is important that all medical staff are ready to quickly handle any allergic reactions, which might need fast action and treatment.
Every patient deserves high-quality, error-free medical care. Patients impacted by medical care and their loved ones may want to consider a medical malpractice lawsuit to hold their healthcare providers – including anesthesiologists – accountable for their mistakes.
