As in any profession – there are all-stars and there are those not so good (and those just plain bad).
That is as true in medicine as in any other field.
Did you know that according to recent research – 6% of all physicians are responsible for 58% of all medical malpractice payments?
In 1999, the Institute of Medicine estimated that 44,000 patients were killed annually (and many more injured) by medical errors? Just 12 years later – the journal HealthAffairs recalculated the data and concluded the number was closer to 450,000 per year. They also estimated that many hundreds of thousands more are injured each year by medical malpractice.
There have even been recent studies that suggest that medical errors contribute to hospital profit – raising doubts that a realistic solution lies in self-policing.
We have asked this question many times… How is it possible that a nation spending what America spends on healthcare could have such consistently awful outcomes? Medical errors and medical malpractice are the third leading cause of death in this country.
A number of proposals intended to correct or at least address the problem have been floated in the last several years. One that has recently surfaced includes holding top hospital administrators accountable for negligence committed in their facilities by tying their income tied to patient safety statistics.
Here are some things consumers can do to protect their families:
- If you are having elective surgery – look into the safety record of the hospitals in your area and the surgeons in your area. There are a number of organizations that provide safety ratings.
- Talk to your GP about the recommended procedure and ask him or her for recommendations as to the best available surgeons in the region. Good surgeons are well known to their colleagues. Also, ask these questions:
- Is the surgery necessary and how long will the positive effects last?
- What are the risks associated with this surgery?
- Are there alternative therapies worth considering before surgery?
- When you arrive at the hospital, talk to your surgeon and others on your medical staff about these questions…
- What type of anesthesia will be administered?
- What can I expect in recovery?
Medical procedures can be a bit scary. Protect you and your family from harm by knowing the facts about your care.
If you or a loved one is ever the victim of a surgical error, a defective drug, the improper prescription of a drug therapy, over-exposure to medical radiation, a hospital-acquired infection, a fall while in the hospital, a preventable blood clot, a misdiagnosis, or any form of medical malpractice, call a qualified Connecticut medical malpractice lawyer. A knowledgeable malpractice attorney can help to ensure that your rights are protected.
RisCassi & Davis has handled hundreds of medical malpractice cases over our 60 years serving the people of Connecticut.
What’s more, our Connecticut medical malpractice lawyers have received local and national recognition for our handling of these cases.
We have a great team of legal experts dedicated to medical malpractice in Connecticut. Please contact us if we can help you.