Pennsylvania Study Shines Light On Medical Mistakes

When was the last time you got help from a nurse? We are willing to bet you see a nurse a few times a year, whether it is when you see your primary care doctor or go to the hospital. Nurses are the first line of defense for our health, the ones that do so much of the work to make us better. However, their work environments greatly affect patient outcomes according to a new study.

At The Weitz Firm, LLC, we are standing by if you or a loved one have been injured due to a mistake made by a medical professional. When you need a Philadelphia hospital negligence attorney, call us today so we can secure the compensation you deserve.

What Can Happen?

Everyone knows that nurses play a crucial role when it comes to healthcare. They are almost always the first person to see a patient in the hospital and they the ones expected to carry out the doctor’s orders. As this Infection Control Today article states, nurses “are often the last line of defense against medical errors and unsafe practices.”

But what happens if a nurse makes an error in the hospital?

We know that medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the US, killing up to 250,000 people each year and injuring millions more. Mistakes do occur and we now know that a nurse’s work environment plays a major role in patient outcomes. A study by the Penn Nursing’s Center for Patient Outcomes & Policy Research shows that “better work environments were associated with lower odds of negative outcomes.”

What kind of mistakes do nurses make?

• Medication errors: nurses are the ones who typically administer medications to patients, so they are the last line of defense when it comes to ensuring the patient is getting the right medication at the correct dosage.
• Failing to treat: when patients come to the ER, a nurse is usually the one doing triage to determine the level of injury and what response needs to be made. They could fail to recognize an emergency and do not treat a patient quickly enough.
• Infections: healthcare-acquired infections are common and often caused due to hospital infection protocols not being followed. Nurses should always check high-risk areas (IVs, open wounds, recent surgical sites, etc.) and should always disinfect between patients.

What Happens Now?

Do not hesitate to contact legal assistance if you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligence of a nurse or other healthcare professional in the hospital. The Weitz Firm, LLC specializes in these cases and will work diligently to secure compensation for all of your incident-related expenses, including:

• Coverage for all medical expenses related to the mistake
• Compensation of lost wages and benefits if you cannot work
• Loss of enjoyment of life damages
• Pain and suffering damages
• Punitive damages against the responsible party

If you need a Philadelphia hospital negligence attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.