When we receive medical assistance, we put a lot of trust in the doctors and nurses, taking their word as gospel. That is because these are the experts who have had years of training, but at the end of the day, they do not know everything. That being said, mistakes can happen and things can get missed, even with the most experienced doctors and nurses. Furthermore, there is a lot that can go wrong with a doctor. This can be anything from a surgical mistake, misdiagnosis, incorrect prescription or even missing medical history.
These mistakes can happen a lot, and many patients will stay quiet and not report the incident, which can make things worse. That is why it is so important for a patient to speak up if an error has occurred.
Understanding The Medical Mistakes
Medical mistakes can be anything and these are often referred to as medical negligence or malpractice. It means that the duty of care provided by healthcare has fallen below the standard that is expected. This can actually be very harmful to the patient as well, which is why it is important to report it. The most common medical mistakes are;
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis – wrong treatment or none at all.
- Surgical errors – surgery in the wrong area, or even instruments being left in the body.
- Medication Errors – Incorrect dosage can be given to the patient, or even administering the wrong drug.
- Failure to obtain informed consent – This means that the patient wasn’t fully aware of the risks that could’ve been involved with the procedure.
Although there are cases where medical negligence can cause a poor outcome, there are many treatments that can also carry a lot of risk. The difference between that and medical negligence actually lies with a competent medical professional who acts reasonably could have made the same mistake in the same circumstances.
Why Does A Patient Stay Quiet?
There are numerous reasons why a patient would stay quiet. One of the reasons why a patient would stay quiet is that they believe nothing can be done about it. Another reason for it is a fear of confrontation or even the patient being unsure what qualifies as medical negligence. In some cases, patients will just accept what has occurred because mistakes do happen.
Another reason why patients may not report the issues is simply because they think it will affect their care in the future. On top of that, some patients can feel emotionally drained with the treatment and therefore, don’t want to deal with the doctors any more. On top of that, people don’t know where or who to speak to.
It is very important that a patient speaks up, especially if they feel like they have been a victim of medical negligence. If they don’t, then other patients may face the same issues, and you won’t be compensated for it.
Why It Is Important To Speak Up
When patients speak up about their case, changes can become possible. The healthcare system isn’t perfect, and they need the feedback to help improve it. Furthermore, it holds people accountable for the lack of care that they have provided, whether it is accidental or not.
Once an incident has been reported, both hospitals and clinics can improve their facilities and their training. At the end of the day, some of the mistakes that do occur are likely to have occurred because of a lack of training, and this is an area that can always be improved.
Regarding the patient, taking the right action is essential because it can empower them and doesn’t make them feel helpless. There are many cases where the patient will require clarity for their care. That is why it is essential for a patient to speak out about their situation. Not to mention the sense of relief that a patient would feel once they have spoken out about their case and it has been resolved for them.
How A Patient Should Seek Assistance
If there is any doubt about the duty of care that you have received, it is important that you take the right steps towards getting it resolved. For any major procedures, you need to ensure that everything is recorded, as this may be required at a later date. This includes important information such as dates, times, names of the medical providers and copies of records and prescriptions.
Speaking with your healthcare provider is also advised, as honest communication can get matters resolved quickly. Additionally, if the doctor doesn’t give you a reasonable explanation, it would be time to file a formal complaint. Every single NHS trust and private healthcare unit will have a complaint process. On top of this, you can also contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman for an independent review.
Once you have done all of the above, you can then seek professional advice legally. If there is any case where you have suffered harm or even financial loss due to the negligence of the care you have received, then it would be time to contact a medical malpractice solicitor.
Summary
It is very important to seek help when you think you have been a victim of medical negligence. Seeking reasoning can not only help you but also improve the hospital and training of their employees, which is essential to improve the quality of healthcare which we receive.
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