Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Preventable Medical Errors
November 10, 2016Each year, the Department of Public Health tracks preventable medical errors that occur in hospitals across the country. This information is then released in an effort to encourage hospitals to take a closer look at their quality of patient care to see where they can make improvements. According to health officials, approximately one-third of patients in the United States are harmed during hospitals stays. Our Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers believe there is significant room for improvement when it comes to patient care.
An example of a preventable medical error that could have put up to 575 patients in danger of contracting hepatitis occurred in Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. Officials discovered that patients were potentially exposed to infection when inspectors found that the inpatient dialysis unit was crowded and unsanitary. Upon further inspection, officials learned that the staff did not always clean and sanitize the unit after each patient, exposing them to blood and other bodily fluids from previous patients.
Prior to the inspection, hospital staff did not prioritize the use of the machines for hepatitis B patients only. According to the vice president of medical affairs at Baystate, the hospital will now only allow the machine to be used on infected patients.
Most Common Causes of Preventable Medical Errors in Hospitals in 2015
- Contaminated drug, devices or biologics: 446 incidents
- Serious injury or fatality from a fall: 371 incidents
- Serious pressure ulcer: 226 incidents
- Serious injury or fatality from medication error: 51 incidents
- Unintended retention of foreign object: 36 incidents
- Suicide or self-harm with a serious injury: 31 incidents
- Serious injury or fatality from a burn: 30 incidents
- Wrong site surgery or procedure: 26 incidents
- Physical assault/abuse with serious injury: 20 incidents
- Newborn serious injury or fatal injury associated with delivery: 15 incidents
- Wrong surgery or procedure: 12 incidents
- Device misuse or malfunction: 12 incidents
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Medical Errors
If you or a loved one has been injured or became ill as a result of a preventable medical error, you are urged to contact the Baltimore Medical Malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will conduct a thorough review of your case and determine who is responsible for compromising your health. Protecting your rights is our top priority and we will not stop fighting on your behalf until we secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve. For a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent clients throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
