Hospitals have an obligation to their patients to prevent injuries and help patients recover from injuries, surgeries, infections, and diseases. While millions of people receive the care and treatment they need when they go to a hospital, some patients suffer further injuries because of hospital negligence.

According to a report published in The Journal of Patient Safety, between 210,000 and 440,000 patients suffer injuries each year because of some preventable harm in a hospital setting. A Hudson Valley hospital negligence lawyer could help hold hospital employees, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and technicians, responsible for actions that lead to such harm.

If you were injured or lost a loved one because of a hospital’s negligence, contact a seasoned medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney could work closely with you to determine the strength of your claim and secure compensation for your damages.

Examples of Hospital Negligence

Hospital negligence can encompass a variety of negligent actions—and inactions—on the part of hospital doctors, nurses, and staff.

Diagnosis Errors

Hospital doctors have a duty to examine patients, perform diagnostic tests, and make appropriate treatment plans. However, if a doctor is not careful they may fail to make a proper diagnosis, delay making a diagnosis, or miss a diagnosis altogether.

Surgical Errors

Many people go to the hospital for critical surgical procedures or emergency surgery. Surgical errors can include operating on the wrong limb or site, preventable post-operation infections, and performing the wrong procedure.

How Do Medication Errors in a Hospital Constitute Medical Malpractice?

Medication errors may be the result of hospital negligence on the part of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and staff. They may occur because a doctor fails to prescribe the proper medication, a pharmacist fails to identify harmful interactions or fills the wrong medication, or a nurse fails to provide medication at an appropriate time or administers the wrong medication.

Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesia errors that may be considered hospital negligence include failing to properly monitor patients while under anesthesia, failing to identify and correct complications, and failing to properly administer oxygen and post-operative care.

How Could an Infection Occur in Hudson Valley Hospitals?

In 2005, the New York state legislature passed Public Health Law 2819, which required all hospitals to report certain hospital-acquired infections. Hospital-acquired infections are a serious concern in the healthcare field because in many cases hospital-acquired infections are preventable.

Hospital-acquired infections are often caused by some negligence on the part of hospital staff such as:

  • Failing to sterilize surgical equipment
  • Failing to sterilize diagnostic tools such as thermometers and stethoscopes
  • Failing to properly sterilize wounds
  • Failing to regularly change bandages
  • Staff failing to properly wash their hands
  • Staff failing to follow proper cleaning procedures in patient areas

Hospital-acquired infections can result in serious health and financial complications, including prolonged hospital stays, additional surgeries, and even death.  Fortunately, reports from the New York Department of Health show that hospital-acquired infections are on the decline, but they remain a problem in hospitals in Hudson Valley and throughout the region.

A Hudson Valley hospital negligence attorney may work with medical professionals and experts to determine if a hospital-acquired infection was a result of hospital negligence.

Rely on the Experience of a Hudson Valley Hospital Negligence Attorney

If you or someone you love suffered an injury because of hospital negligence, a Hudson Valley hospital negligence lawyer is available and prepared to help you recover emotionally and financially for your injuries and losses. Call today to schedule a consultation.