(845) 802-0047Medical Equipment Failure: Kingston, Medical Malpractice Attorney Discusses Your Rights
Medication ErrorsThe use of medical equipment in hospitals and doctor’s offices is becoming relied upon more and more for the life and safety of patients. When medical equipment fails the results can be disastrous, resulting in serious injuries to patients. The equipment failure may result from a defect in the equipment itself but may also result from the negligence of healthcare professionals who have not received the proper training on that particular instrument or have failed to monitor the equipment adequately. For many devices, it is required that they be equipped with a failure mode or an audible alarm to alert physicians and hospital personnel if there is a malfunction. It is extremely important that hospitals follow regulations and the proper standard of care when it comes to checking the machines to ensure that they function properly and that the machines are safe for the patient to use.
Equipment failures can result from defective equipment that does not operate as it is supposed to or healthcare professionals who do not have the proper training in the use of the medical equipment or do not make an appropriate diagnosis of serious conditions, allowing them to spread. When medical equipment fails the injuries can include:
- An overdose in medication when an IV Pump malfunctions
- Heart arrhythmia can be missed when a heart monitor malfunctions
- Operator error
- An overdose in pain medication can result if the PCA pump batteries die
- Too much electricity can be delivered to the heart when a defibrillator malfunctions
These equipment failures may be the direct result of operator error or negligence and have disastrous results for the patient and their family. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury because of a medical equipment failure, contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney to evaluate your case and determine whether you are entitled to compensation.
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