Reasons for Surgical Mistakes

Thousands of people are hurt or killed by surgical mistakes each year. These negligent errors typically occur as a result of the doctor's inattention or carelessness in the operating room. Here are some specific reasons why surgical errors happen.

Failure to Follow Protocol:

There are many protocols in place to prevent surgical errors. These include certain checklists, surgery site markings, and other important details that must be followed. When a surgeon or healthcare practitioner fails to follow these protocols, devastating injuries can occur as a result. Staff may fail to sanitize instruments, for example, or use malfunctioning equipment because they failed to check it ahead of time. These protocol failures often constitute negligent behavior.

Fatigue and Overworked Staff

Many surgeons are tired and overworked. They may have performed multiple surgeries that day, for instance, and not had enough time to sleep. Surgery is complex and dangerous. A surgeon needs to be awake, alert, and fully prepared for the task. If the surgeon is tired, this makes it all too easy to make a serious error. The quality of care is damaged when staff is overworked and "burned out" on the job.

Poor Communication

Illegible handwriting, insufficient explanations, or even mishearing directions can lead to surgical errors. Medical staff and the surgeon must understand how to communicate effectively to avoid mistakes. Many hospitals create protocols to enhance communication. Some do not or employees fail to follow these protocols. Poor communication could be the reason you suffered medical malpractice.

Inexperienced Surgeon

A surgeon may not be prepared to handle your particular procedure. Doctors are expected to be competent in the surgeries they perform. If they have inadequate skills for the task, you may suffer debilitating injuries as a result of their incompetence. This is often the fault of both the surgeon and the hospital administration.

Drugs or Alcohol

Some doctors struggle with alcoholism or drug addiction issues. They may use substances to cope with the stress of their job or even use medications to try to stay awake. Doctors under the influence while performing surgery may commit severe mistakes that lead to lasting damage.