October 23, 2013
Each year, numerous medical errors are reported in Indiana. In fact, the Indiana Medical Malpractice Lawyers with Stewart & Stewart Attorneys point to data that shows more than 100 such errors were reported last year alone.
According to the Indiana Medical Error Reporting System’s annual final report, almost 90 percent of the medical mistakes occurred in hospitals, while the others occurred in facilities such as nursing homes. For the sixth time in seven years, allowing the development of stage 3 and 4 pressure ulcers was the most common mistake made by medical staff. These injuries accounted for 30 percent of the reported incidents.
The second most common error to be made was leaving objects inside patients’ bodies following procedures, accounting for 19 of the reported mistakes.
Another 15 incidents of wrong-site surgeries were reported, along with 14 cases of preventable falls.
Five cases of the wrong surgery being performed were reported, along with seven incidents of patients being harmed as the result of being given the wrong medications.
Experts contend that better communication amongst medical staff and caregivers is the best way to prevent such errors from occurring.
The Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers with Stewart & Stewart Attorneys are aware of how serious injuries resulting from such medical errors can be. That is why the firm points to the importance of discussing your legal rights with an attorney if you have been harmed while under the care of a medical professional.