Surgical Complications
Surgical complication is a term to describe any number
of unexpected problems that can arise during or after
surgery. While some surgical complications are not the
fault of the medical provider, many can be prevented. In
these cases of negligence or incompetence, a patient may
have a medical malpractice claim. Medical malpractice is
a term used for any negligence or action that deviates
from standard practices of medicine and that results in
injury or death to a patient.
>More on Medical
Malpractice.
Some of the more common surgical complications that can
arise include:
- Amputations
- Blood clots
- Severe infection
- Excessive bleeding
- Cardiac arrest
- Excessive scarring
- Other organ failure
One form of surgical error is called a “wrong site”
operation. A wrong site operation means that the correct
surgical procedure is performed, but on the wrong organ
or body part. It can also mean that the correct
procedure is performed on the correct organ or body
part, but due to carelessness and neglect, it is done to
the wrong patient. There have been numerous examples of
doctors removing perfectly healthy organs from patients
or amputating the wrong arm or leg. In other cases of
neglect, foreign objects such as medical tools and
sponges have been left inside patients, where they can
deteriorate or damage internal organs.
Prevention of surgical complications starts before any
procedure occurs. It is the responsibility of both the
patient and the healthcare provider to assess the
patient prior to the procedure. Information needs to be
gathered concerning the patient’s health, history of
prescription drug use, history of allergies to medicines
or certain materials, and history of diseases. Gathering
this vital information allows the medical provider to
properly prepare before the surgery, thus ensuring the
further safety of the patient. Failure to gather this
information thoroughly, as well as the failure to fully
review a patient’s information before a surgical
procedure, can put the patient at high risk for injury
or even death.
Medical malpractice is a serious
problem. Each year,
approximately 80,000 people die due to some form of
medical malpractice. Proving a case of medical malpractice can be difficult.
Only a competent attorney who knows Missouri’s intricate
medical malpractice laws can help you win your case. The
law offices of Peterson & Associates have the experience
and expertise that you need at your side.
If you or a love one has been a victim of a surgical
error, please don’t hesitate to call Peterson &
Associates. Our experienced attorneys can be reached for
a free consultation by calling 816-LAW-FIRM, or by
clicking here to submit an
online form.
For more information:
Medical Malpractice
Medical
Malpractice FAQs
Medical Malpractice Legal Glossary
Medical
Malpractice Claim Evaluation
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