At The Gogel Law Firm, our St. Louis medical malpractice attorney knows that while medical technology has evolved into streamlined care, medical errors continue to occur in healthcare facilities throughout Missouri and nationwide.
Medical errors are mistakes made between diagnosis and treatment for various complex reasons in doctor’s offices, emergency rooms, urgent care facilities, surgical centers, hospitals, and other facilities.
According to the National Library of Medicine, medical errors result in up to 1.5 million non-fatal injuries yearly. They are the third leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for as many as 251,000 fatalities or 9.5% of deaths annually.
Here, we discuss some of the reasons medical errors continue to occur.
What are the Most Common Causes of Medical Errors in Healthcare Facilities in Missouri?
Most medical errors have multiple contributing factors, and many are caught before they can cause any harm, thanks to preventative measures put in place by facilities throughout the country.
However, some persistent medical errors remain, including:
- Lack of Communication
Effective communication ensures accurate information transfer among healthcare professionals, patients, and their families. Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, improper treatments, and patient harm.
- Documentation Problems
Incomplete or inaccurate medical records can lead to misunderstandings, duplicate tests, or incorrect treatments. Inadequate documentation can also hinder the tracking of patient history and care plans. While technology can potentially improve patient safety, poorly designed or implemented electronic health record systems can contribute to errors if they lead to incorrect data entry or misinterpretation of information.
- Lack of Standardized Care
Healthcare practices can vary widely from one facility to another and even among healthcare professionals within the same facility. A lack of standardized protocols and procedures can lead to inconsistent care and ongoing medical errors.
- Lack of Resources
Insufficient staffing, overworked and exhausted staff, outdated technology, and inadequate resources can keep healthcare professionals from providing optimal care. Limited resources can lead to shortcuts, workarounds, and mistakes. In addition, heavy workloads and burnout can lead to fatigue, decreased attentiveness, and impaired decision-making, increasing the likelihood of errors.
- Workplace Culture
When healthcare facilities lack a cohesive workplace culture, it can lead to doctors, nurses, technicians, and office staff keeping potential errors or concerns to themselves. Healthcare facilities must encourage open communication to avoid preventable medical errors.
- Learning from Errors
When healthcare organizations fail to thoroughly learn from errors by conducting in-depth analyses to identify the underlying causes of errors, they are more likely to recur without
Have You Suffered Injuries or Lost a Loved One to Medical Malpractice in Missouri?
If you or someone you love has been injured or lost their life to medical errors in Missouri, contact our St. Louis medical malpractice attorney today to review your case by calling (314) 370-8173 or online to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options to pursue the liable party for your complete financial recovery needs.
