You always expect proper care and treatment when you visit a healthcare provider. Unfortunately, medical errors can occur. These errors may lead to grave consequences. Medical malpractice happens when a healthcare professional fails to provide the standard of care, harming the patient.
Below are common types of medical malpractice you should be aware of.
Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis
Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis are among the most frequent forms of medical malpractice. Misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor fails to identify a condition correctly. On the other hand, delayed diagnosis happens when a doctor takes too long to diagnose a condition. Such errors could lead to severe consequences. This is especially true for time-sensitive conditions, such as cancer or stroke.
Surgical errors and medication mistakes
Surgical errors are another common type of medical malpractice. These can include operating on the wrong body part or leaving surgical instruments inside the patient. This also happens when a doctor performs unnecessary procedures.
Similarly, medication errors are also alarmingly common. This happens when you receive the wrong medication or an incorrect dosage. You might also experience harmful drug interactions due to a healthcare provider’s negligence.
Other types of medical malpractice
Other forms of medical malpractice include:
Birth injuries
These injuries result from mistakes during pregnancy, labor or delivery. They could lead to lifelong complications for the child.
Anesthesia errors
Administering too much or too little anesthesia could result in serious harm.
Failure to treat
This form of medical malpractice happens when a doctor correctly diagnoses a condition but does not provide proper treatment.
Lack of informed consent
Performing procedures without informing the patient of risks and alternatives is another form of medical malpractice.
Understanding these common types of medical malpractice allows you to be more vigilant about your healthcare. Doing so may help you better recognize potential issues. It may be best always to ask questions. You may also seek second opinions when necessary. This may be beneficial, especially if something feels wrong in your medical care.
Not all adverse medical outcomes may qualify as malpractice. Healthcare providers must deviate from the accepted standard of care. This deviation must cause harm to the patient. If you believe you have been a victim of medical malpractice, consider consulting a medical malpractice attorney.