Anesthesia medical malpractice accounts for a majority of the malpractice cases in the United States. In America today, Anesthesia malpractice is reportedly the twelfth highest medical specialty in regards to the percentage of physicians within the specialty who have been forced to pay claims for their mistakes. This type of malpractice is typically life altering due to the fact that it often results in permanent injury, brain damage, and in more severe cases, death.

However, even though anesthesia medical malpractice is growing increasingly common, proving negligence against an anesthesiologist from a plaintiff’s standpoint is close to impossible. Proving negligence is hard in these types of cases because when a patient is under anesthesia they are typically heavily sedated or unconscious. There are also minimal medical records to serve as valid resources to detect exactly what went on during surgery.

How Can Anesthesia Medical Malpractice be Avoided?

Hospitals and other medical clinics can avoid encountering an anesthesia medical malpractice case by keeping detailed notes on each patient. Although, this isn’t always the case when a patient goes into surgery and while under anesthesia, an awful mistake occurs. A patient’s chart should include the following:

• A pre-anesthesia exam
  
• Informed consent form
  
• Operative record
  
• Transfer notes
  
• Physician notes
  
• Post-anesthesia record

Unfortunately, in some cases all of this information has been kept on record but it has been “lost” or “altered” in order to cover up a wrongdoing. Malpractice insurers and professional medical societies have a responsibility to warn medical practitioners not to alter medical records in any way; however, when it comes to the tragic moments surrounding what was a potentially deadly or life altering mistake, professional and ethical advice can sometimes be muddles and even forgotten.

Where Does Anesthesia Medical Malpractice Happen?

A common misconception is that anesthesia medical malpractice can only take place in the operating room of a hospital, but this isn’t always the case. Anesthesia-related malpractice can also occur while the patient is in pre-operative preparation and even during post-operation. This type of malpractice can also occur in any procedure room, dental office or medical facility. Anesthesia medical malpractice has been known to happen in a variety of situations as well, from childbirth to a time when someone has gone in for the simplest of dental procedures.

 
When Anesthesia medical malpractice occurs, it can cause a variety of problems to the patient. The most common side effects that have been associated with the use of anesthesia are:

• Cerebral palsy
  
• Brain damage
  
• Nerve damage
  
• Paralysis

How Can You be Prepared?

Anesthesia medical malpractice, whether an honest mistake or not, is a harsh reality that patients should all be aware of, and in the worst of cases, prepared for. In order to prepare yourself before having surgery, it is essential that the physician, the anesthesiologist and those closest to you all have copies of your medical records. It is also important to know if you have any sort of allergy or could possibly have a negative reaction before, after or during the administering of anesthesia.

Do you know someone who has been the victim of anesthesia medical malpractice? If so, please contact us today to speak with an experienced medical attorney who will evaluate your case and ensure that you and your loved ones receive the best in legal guidance and advice.

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    --  Call us:  1-800-838-0800

 
 See Also:

    *Medical Compensation
    *Medical Lawsuits

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