Studies consistently show that doctors interrupt patients. There could be a good reason, like getting a patient to clarify a piece of information. But it can also be because the doctor is in a rush and isn’t giving the patient enough attention. Patients are often...
Medical Malpractice
What’s an affidavit of merit in a medical malpractice claim?
A medical malpractice claim is a type of personal injury lawsuit – but they’re unique in that you cannot simply file the lawsuit when you choose. In an effort to reduce what was (largely falsely) seen as “nuisance suits” that negatively affected medical providers,...
Can hospitals be held liable for malpractice due to cyberattacks?
Cyberattacks typically involve hackers getting into a business’s or organization’s systems and making them unusable. They’re often called ransomware attacks because hackers generally require victims to pay to get the use of their systems back. While it may seem...
Could racial bias lead to inadequate health care?
In today’s society, we would think that systemic racism is a thing of the past. After all, several laws have been enacted that make workplace and housing discrimination illegal. However, race is a significant factor when it comes to the level of health care a person...
A hospital’s ownership can affect how patients are cared for
Sometimes it seems like private equity investment firms are buying up more and more businesses. That might be good for the bottom line, since they are most interested in making a profit. However, when the business is a hospital, increased profitability can come at the...
Common myths about medical malpractice lawsuits
Medical malpractice lawsuits are not uncommon; however, there are many misconceptions about them. The myths often cloud the understanding of those who believe they have a case. Here, you can learn the truth about some of the most common myths. This will help you know...
3 causes of diagnostic errors
Diagnostic errors include failing to diagnose (missed diagnosis), a delayed diagnosis and a wrong diagnosis. Research shows that 40,000 to 80,000 patients in the U.S. die or sustain injuries every year due to diagnostic errors. So, what leads to this alarming...
The role of distraction in medical errors
Doctors and nurses need to get things right. They need to administer the correct dosages of drugs, operate on the correct limb, and so on. Paying full attention to what they are doing will increase the chance they do get it right. Unfortunately, research shows they...
What can cause maternal cardiac arrest?
Pregnancy can come with various risks, potentially impacting the mother's or the baby's health. Some issues are minor, which can be manageable with adequate prenatal care. Other times, complications like maternal cardiac arrest can cause grave repercussions, including...
How do surgical errors happen?
Surgeons are tasked with handling some of the most complex yet life-altering assignments in the world – operating on their patients. If everything goes well, a surgical procedure can help the patient recover, get back on their feet and enjoy quality life once more....