5 Types of Hospital Injuries

When you go to the hospital, you trust that the professionals there will care for you and your loved ones to the best of their ability. However, many medical professionals are overworked and tired, and they may become careless, leading to injuries. Here, we describe some of the most common hospital injuries that individuals may experience while seeking other care.

1. Infections

Roughly one in 25 patients will acquire a new infection after a visit to the hospital, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Over 200 Americans with healthcare-related infections die during their hospital stay every day. The most common infections include:

• Pneumonia
• Surgical site infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Bloodstream infections
• Gastrointestinal infections

As infections become even more resistant to common antibiotics, hospital-acquired infections are increasingly a problem.

2. Medical Errors

Medical professionals are human, which means they occasionally make mistakes. However, when a healthcare professional makes a mistake, it can mean the difference between life and death. According to a study by Johns Hopkins University, more than 250,000 people die annually because of medical mistakes. Medical errors are the third-leading cause of death in the United States. It follows only cancer and heart disease.

3. Poor Nursing Care

Nursing care includes helping patients who cannot move or who cannot move well. That movement might be up and down the hall or simply to use the restroom. However, of all adverse events that occurred at a hospital in one study, about 15% dealt with poor nursing care, which included falls and developing pressure ulcers from lack of movement.

4. Medication Errors

A medication error occurs when a patient receives an inappropriate medication  which includes the patient taking the wrong medication or the wrong dose as well. However, legal liability arises only when the error results from someone else’s action or inaction. Medication errors could arise from:

• Incorrect diagnosis
• Prescription errors
• Dose miscalculations
• Bad distribution practices
• Medical device problems
• Lack of or failed communication

Failure to inform the patient of certain restrictions or methods to take the medication can also be considered a medication error as well. According to the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, patient deaths because of medication errors are usually between 150,000 and 200,000 every year. The Food and Drug Administration receives about 100,000 reports every year of a suspected medication error.

5. Misdiagnosis

Injuries can arise because a medical professional does not properly recognize and diagnose a medical condition. Misdiagnosis not only sometimes results in a condition getting worse, but when medication or treatment is prescribed for another condition that a patient actually does not have, the misdiagnosis can cause even further harm.

Get Help from a Kansas Personal Injury Attorney

Many hospital injuries result in legal liability for the medical professional or the hospital. These personal injury cases can help pay for things like medical bills, time away from work, pain and suffering, and a lot more. Learn more about your legal options in Kansas from an experienced personal injury attorney. Call Larry Wall Trial Law at 316-265-6000 for more information.