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A medical mistake or error is when a doctor, nurse, hospital, or other healthcare provider delivers improper care. In some cases, a preventable medical mistake in Philadelphia may be grounds for a medical malpractice claim if it causes serious harm. Some of the clearest examples are ‘never events,’ serious errors that should not happen when basic patient safety procedures are followed.
Medical Mistakes Can Cause Deaths or Serious Injury
Preventable medical mistakes can cause serious injuries, long-term complications, and, in some cases, death. These errors can lead to infections, corrective procedures, longer hospital stays, permanent complications, emotional trauma, and added medical costs.
“Never Events”
A ‘never event’ is a serious preventable medical error that should not happen when proper safety procedures are followed. Some common examples of never events, especially in surgical settings. include:
- Wrong Site Surgery: operating on the wrong location on a patient’s body
- Wrong Side Surgery: such as operating on the left arm instead of the right arm
- Wrong Patient Surgery: performing an operation on one patient that should have been performed on a different person
- Wrong Procedure: performing a completely incorrect procedure on a patient.
These serious mistakes may happen because of communication breakdowns, incorrect paperwork, patient identification failures, or other lapses in basic hospital safety procedures. Healthcare providers and facilities should have systems in place to help prevent these errors before they harm a patient. These safety steps can play an important role in preventing serious medical errors.
How Never Events Can Affect Patients and Families
A never event can do more than interrupt medical treatment. In many cases, it can lead to additional surgeries, longer hospital stays, unexpected rehabilitation, lost income, and significant emotional stress for both the patient and their family. Some patients may face lasting pain, complications, or a longer recovery because of an error that should have been prevented. Explaining these real-world effects adds value for readers and helps show why these incidents are taken so seriously.
What Information May Help After a Never Event?
After a serious medical mistake, documentation can become very important. Medical records, operative reports, discharge instructions, follow-up recommendations, and communication with providers may all help clarify what happened and whether proper safety steps were followed. While every situation is different, preserving this information can make it easier to understand how the event occurred and whether further review is appropriate.
Contact Lowenthal & Abrams for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one was harmed by a serious medical mistake in Philadelphia, it may be worth having the situation reviewed. Lowenthal & Abrams can examine hospital records, operative reports, and other documentation to help determine whether basic safety procedures were missed and whether the error may support a medical malpractice claim. Our firm includes an attorney who is also a medical doctor and an attorney who is also a nurse, which can be valuable when evaluating complex medical issues. Contact us for a free consultation. There is no upfront cost, and there is no fee unless you are compensated.
