Patients fare better when more nurses are on duty
Hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities in New York and around the country are finding it increasingly difficult to hire registered nurses. The shortage of qualified nurses is a nationwide problem, and it is expected to become worse in the coming years as the baby boom generation continues to retire in ever greater numbers. Projections by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that more than 500,000 new registered nurses will be needed in the United States by 2022.
Communication errors can result in medical malpractice claims
New York patients may find it interesting that poor communications between patients and hospital staff contributed to about 7,000 of 23,000 medical malpractice claims that were filed between 2009 and 2013. Of these claims, more than 1,700 involved the death of a patient. The numbers indicate that miscommunication is a major problem that needs to be addressed by hospitals and staff.
Types of Prescription Drug Malpractice to be Aware Of
More than 1.5 million people are affected each year by errors caused by prescription drug malpractice. Mistakes made in prescribing drugs, administering them, and monitoring prescription drugs are the leading causes of drug malpractice. Such errors not just result in injuries or death but also bump up yearly medical expenses to more than $3.5 billion!
The Pitfalls of Malpractice and Licensing for Therapists
Between 1990 and 2004, there were 916 medical malpractice reports involving clinical psychologists made to the National Practitioner Databank in the United States. Many attorneys who defend psychotherapists before licensing boards and in civil suits are often asked a question – what are the common areas where therapists are most vulnerable? It is important to identify these common pitfalls so that they can be avoided.
Malpractice Liability for Postoperative Lymphedema
Many different complications can occur after surgery. Because the body is in a vulnerable condition, it increases the likelihood of health problems. Post-surgery blood clots and infection are two of the more common complications that crop up after surgery. Although it is less common, lymphedema is a very serious complication that can result in health issues throughout a patient’s life.
Four Fundamental Legal Medical Malpractice Concepts
During the 2014 fiscal year, the number of medical malpractice claims in New York was 876 and in the fiscal year of 2015, that number went up to more than 900. In 2012, the total number of medical malpractice payouts in the United States was 12,142.
C-section anesthesia complications fall while others rise
Many New York mothers-to-be may be planning to deliver via a cesarean section. A study showed that complications due to anesthesia given in C-sections fell by 25 percent between 2003 and 2012 in New York hospitals. However, non-anesthetic perioperative complications rose by about 50 percent.
Medical errors cause far too many deaths
New Yorkers who have recently spent time hospitalized may be dismayed to learn that studies have found 200,000 to 400,000 deaths happen annually as a result of preventable errors in hospitals around the country. In addition to the emotional costs to loved ones, medical mistakes are estimated to cost upwards of $15 billion annually in expenses such as patient care and prescription drug services.
A look at medical malpractice statistics
New York patients may be interested in a study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, that looked into the rate of recurring malpractice claims against physicians. People implicitly and explicitly trust their doctors on a daily basis, but medical errors can and do sometimes happen. Knowing some of the statistics behind malpractice claims can help patients make a more informed decision about their own well-being.
Typical Insurance Coverage Provided to Medical Practitioners
If you have ever been involved in a medical malpractice case which hopefully you have not, then you know that you have had to deal with your healthcare provider’s insurer at some stage. On the other hand, if you happen to be a medical practitioner in New York, then you need to read on to know how proper insurance coverage can protect you against a possible malpractice lawsuit.