Doctors are required to complete extensive educational requirements and endure rigorous on-the-job training before they are qualified to deal independently with patients. As such, people in Indiana are inclined to place full trust in their health care provider’s ability to give thorough analysis, quality treatment, and attentive care when medical needs arise. However, there are plenty of situations where doctors are at risk of making critical errors due to a variety of reasons including poor communication, carelessness or fatigue.
People can more effectively protect themselves from being a victim of medical malpractice when they are actively involved in creating a treatment plan. Equally as important, is their awareness of what signs suggest that medical malpractice has occurred so they can immediately seek help. According to guidelineshealth.com, signs of medical malpractice include the following:
- Worsening medical conditions: If people have received treatment for specific symptoms, they should begin to notice a change in the way they feel within a period of hours or days. If a person continues to feel unwell despite being treated, he or she may be the victim of a medical error.
- Patient input was not allowed: Patients should always have the opportunity to provide their input regarding their medical care. Doctors need to be familiar with a person’s medical history, symptoms and personal needs to create a customized treatment plan.
- Improper diagnosis: If someone has been diagnosed with a condition they do not actually have, they have been the victim of medical malpractice.
- Medication errors: Sometimes doctors prescribe the incorrect medication or incorrect dosages to their patients. This can create a significant risk to the health and wellness of affected patients.
John Hopkins Medicine suggests that medical malpractice is now responsible for over 250,000 deaths in the nation each year.