The Three Worst Hospital Safety Issues
Earlier this week, we discussed examples of horrific medical mistakes committed by doctors and surgeons. Hospitals are equally capable of causing harm to patients, many times through negligent policies.
- When hospitals are dangerously understaffed, doctors, surgeons, nurses and other health care professionals are overworked and more likely to make mistakes. In a 2014 study published in The Lancet, it was found that for each patient a nurse cared for, the risk of medical mistakes increased. Nurses working too many hours with excessive responsibilities can accidently mix up medications or use hospital equipment incorrectly on patients.
- Centers for Disease Control statistics show 23,000 patients die from superbugs in U.S. hospitals every year. Superbugs are bacteria that have become resistant to treatment with antibiotics. Patients who survive superbug infections may have long-lasting health problems. Ineffective sanitation policies in hospitals can put patients at serious risk.
- Hospital errors can occur due to poor communication between staff and doctors. Doctors may not communicate effectively with nursing staff or pharmacists, which can put patient safety in jeopardy. A study by Harvard Medical School argued that effective communication between hospital staff and doctors could decrease the risk of medical errors by 25 percent.
Hospital Safety Issues Kill Hundreds of Thousands
Not all hospitals are dangerous, but recent studies show medical errors are still plentiful. In a study published in the Journal of Patient Safety, it was argued 440,000 people die every year from preventable hospital errors. More work can be done to ensure hospital safety issues are resolved.
Shapiro Law Group – Tampa Bay Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Tags: PatientSafety
