More Hours Result In More Malpractice By Tired Doctors

Some doctors will routinely see more patients than they can safely manage.  This can lead to the doctor ordering unneeded tests, medication errors, and possibly even the patient’s death.  As a result, doctors may also face medical malpractice claims.  When 506 doctors based in hospitals were surveyed it was found that seven percent said that there was a chance that heavy workloads may have led to patient complications.  Additionally, about five percent said that their large workloads likely caused a death within the past year.
Doctors have been taking on more and more patients to compensate for the cuts made by health insurers.  Unfortunately this often results in the doctor taking on more than they can handle while still providing the best care possible.  However, doctors are unlikely to decrease the number of patients they see anytime soon.

About forty percent of doctors have reported that they have seen an unsafe number of patients at least once a month.  A quarter of the doctors said that the number of patients that they saw prevented them from answering questions and discussing treatment options fully with their patients.

Excessively large workloads may result in suboptimal care and less direct doctor patient care.  The decrease in the quality of care will also increase the costs of health care.  Errors often result in unnecessary tests being ordered, medication errors, longer hospital stays, misdiagnosis, and other types of medical malpractice.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice due to an overworked doctor, contact an experienced Kingston, New York medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.  You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, past and future medical expenses, disability, and emotional pain and suffering that result from any injuries you sustained as a result of the malpractice.

But what do you think?  I would love to hear from you!  Leave a comment or I also welcome your phone call on my toll-free cell at 1-866-889-6882 or you can drop me an e-mail at jfisher@fishermalpracticelaw.com.  You are always welcome to request my FREE book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims, at the home page of my website at www.protectingpatientrights.com.