How To Prevent Medical Malpractice In Issaquah When Getting Emergency Medical Care This Summer
Accidents can happen at any time that leave you suffering serious injuries, but they are particularly common during the summer months. Local emergency rooms provide a valuable service, helping residents and visitors to our area get the immediate medical care they need.
Unfortunately, with increasing rates of medical malpractice in Washington State, it is important to take certain precautions when visiting these facilities. Our Issaquah medical malpractice attorney explains common problems that can happen and how to prevent ER mistakes from jeopardizing your health.
Common Types of Medical Mistakes In Hospital Emergency Rooms
Mistakes and errors on the part of medical providers can have potentially life-threatening impacts on patients. The National Institutes of Health warns that medical malpractice claims have risen dramatically in recent years and that one in three medical professionals is likely to be sued at some point in their careers.
Medical malpractice can occur at doctor’s offices, testing or treatment centers, and hospital-affiliated facilities. Due to the severity of conditions presented by patients and the fast pace of care, it is particularly common in hospital emergency rooms. Common ways in which medical mistakes and errors are likely to occur in these settings include:
- Dangerous delays in treatment;
- Missed symptoms and delayed diagnosis;
- Errors in conducting tests and correctly reading results;
- Miscommunications among providers, resulting in mix-ups of patients or treatments;
- Potentially deadly medication mistakes;
- Improper discharge and failure to follow-up.
Protecting Yourself Against Emergency Room Mistakes This Summer
Biking, hiking, camping, cookouts, and other fun activities are popular throughout the summer in Washington State. Unfortunately, due to the active and busy nature of the season and the amount of traffic on local roads, accidental injuries are more common during the summer months.
To protect yourself and your health, it is important to use your best judgment on when to visit local hospital emergency rooms. These facilities and the people who work there can quickly become overwhelmed, especially during the busy summer season. The Washington State Hospital Association advises that they should only be used in situations where a doctor’s office or urgent care clinic is not an option. If you do need to visit the ER, take these precautions to protect yourself:
- Take someone with you to act as your patient advocate;
- Make a list of all medications;
- Be clear in communicating the severity of your symptoms with patient representatives;
- Make sure they are aware of underlying medical conditions you have;
- Inform each person you encounter of any medication allergies or other special issues;
- Review discharge instructions to ensure they are complete;
- Follow up with your regular provider as soon as possible.
Contact Our Issaquah Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you suffered harm during a hospital emergency room visit, contact Injury Law Group NW. We provide the professional legal representation needed to hold those at fault accountable. Reach out and request a consultation with our experienced Issaquah medical malpractice attorney today.
Sources:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470573/
wsha.org/quality-safety/projects/er-is-for-emergencies/
