Study Finds Medical Omissions Lead to Malpractice Cases

It has been discovered that healthcare providers face significant medical malpractice lawsuits for treatment options that they overlook or fail to provide. A new study by The Sullivan Group reveals the many way doctors may be liable for the medical care they don’t provide, referred to as medical omissions. The study looked at treatment provided by acute and emergency facilities and compiled a report of major and minor medical omissions made by healthcare providers. The main goal of The Sullivan Group is to facilitate medical research that improves safety and reduces health risk for acute care patients. Their research evaluated over 170,000 patients in hundreds of emergency care facilities and thousands of acute medical malpractice cases.   The report included both serious offenses and minor incidents. Some of the major omissions could have been avoided by simply recording detailed medical histories and staying attentive to patients in the hospital and doctor’s office. Five of the most surprising findings are highlighted below:   1. The treatment of patients without keeping appropriate medical records   An accurate and complete history is always needed to determine the correct diagnosis. To treat a patient without adequate knowledge of their medical history can put them at increased risk for health complications and adverse effects. The risk is increased dramatically when the patient visits the facility for problems with chest pain or abdominal pain. It is important for healthcare providers to keep complete records of all complaints patients have, even if they seem minor. The study found that in patients with abdominal pain, this detail was not recorded in approximately 30 percent of medical histories. In patients with chest pain, this detail was not recorded in approximately 10 percent of medical histories.   2. The treatment of fevers without adequate immunization history   Children in particular are at high risk for health complications if a doctor treats their fever without obtaining accurate immunization records. The vaccination history of a child is essential to determine a correct diagnosis. Health care providers can overlook the risk of dozens of dangerous infections if they are not aware of of which immunizations a child has had. The research reported that approximately 10 percent of medical records in which children were treated for fever do not include vaccination history.   3. The release of patients without establishing normal vital signs   Patients that entered a healthcare facility with abnormal vital signs were discharged without the reevaluation to check for normal vital signs. The study reports that this common medical mistake occurs in approximately 16 percent of abnormal vital sign cases. The release of a patient without normal vital signs can result in increased risk of death and other health concerns. It is important for healthcare providers to pay attention and make sure all appropriate care is completed before discharging a patient.   4. The release of patients without adequate care instructions   To discharge a patient without instructing them on appropriate after care can result in health complications and the worsening of a disease or condition. Written care instructions prior to discharge are an important part of a patient’s recovery. Patients may be distracted or unable to remember oral directions. The study found that the majority of discharge instructions are incomplete or even inaccurate.   5. Failure to stay attentive in the emergency room   Many mistakes can occur simply because a healthcare provider overlooks small details or does not stay attentive in the emergency room. There are some common mistakes that doctors make when treating wounds specifically. The study looked at medical malpractice claims and found that wound care makes up 25 percent of cases against urgent care doctors. In many cases, the claim could have easily been avoided by staying more attentive watching out for simple mistakes: Failure to read notes taken by colleagues regarding the patient, failure to read or value patient medical history, and failure to listen to the patient’s complaints.  

Find a New Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyer

  If you or a loved one has suffered health complications or injury as the result of a medical mistake in a New Jersey emergency room or doctor’s office, it is recommended you consult with a skilled lawyer to find out what legal recourse may be available to you. The Hayes Firm can help you find out your options to determine your best course of action. Send us an email or give us a call today and we will review the details of your situation as soon as possible. We will evaluate your case based on New Jersey laws and precedents in order to make a knowledgeable recommendation. If legal action seems realistic, we will connect you with a local, skilled attorney completely free of charge. Contact The Hayes Firm today for your free consultation.