When patients sign consent forms prior to surgery, they often don’t read the fine print. Even if they do, they can’t imagine every scenario that would fall under the things to which they’ve given their consent. In some cases, these might involve undefined procedures and exams for “educational and training purposes,” particularly at teaching hospitals. These procedures sometimes included exams of “intimate” areas that had nothing to do with the surgical procedure the patient was undergoing. As doctors and nurses in training started speaking up about their discomfort in doing these exams on pati ..read more

Surgeons and other medical professionals are required to provide a standard of care that – in accordance with professional standards and expectations – helps to ensure patient safety and well-being. Nevertheless, negligence in the operating room can lead to life-changing consequences for the patient, causing irreversible physical, psychological and even financial damages. The following are some of the catastrophic consequences that result from surgical negligence all too often. Permanent physical disabilities Negligence in the operating room can lead to nerve damage, resulting in loss of sensa ..read more

Cyberattacks, also known as ransomware attacks, are disrupting operations in all kinds of businesses and other organizations. Hackers can demand hundreds of thousands of dollars and more in “ransom” to give these organizations back access to, and control over, their systems. In the meantime, however, hackers can access and release what was intended to be secured information – anything from private customer and employee data to financial information and trade secrets. Hospitals are particularly popular targets for these attacks. Besides having a considerable amount of private patient digital da ..read more

Medications subject to controlled substances laws can pose a risk to human health. They are only available when recommended by a prescribing physician and administered by licensed medical professionals, such as pharmacists or nurses at a care facility. Those professionals set the dosage and should monitor the patient’s response to medication to adjust treatment as necessary to minimize the danger to the patient. Prescribed medications might be dangerous for several different reasons. In some cases, drugs are a safety concern because they have a very low overdose threshold. Other times, the mai ..read more

Patient safety is a concept that aims to prevent and minimize risks of harm that occur to patients as they’re receiving medical care. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines patient safety as “the absence of preventable harm to a patient and reduction of risk of unnecessary harm associated with health care to an acceptable minimum.” The concept and real-world practice of patient safety encompass a wide range of protocols, policies, approaches and cultures designed to protect patients from preventable injuries and to improve the overall standard of care within health care settings. Key elem ..read more

A hospital discharge is a process a patient goes through when leaving a hospital after treatment. It involves several steps to ensure a patient is discharged safely. These include a healthcare provider confirming the patient no longer needs to be in the hospital to receive care, explaining the paperwork thoroughly to the patient, reviewing medications and setting follow-up appointments. Premature discharge is when a patient is released before they are ready to leave a medical setting or when all the required steps are not followed. Here is what to know about it: Why would a hospital discharge ..read more

Healthcare cognitive bias refers to the systematic ways in which the thinking and judgment of healthcare professionals can be influenced, leading to deviations from good decision-making or best practices. Put another way, it’s a phenomenon in which a healthcare provider’s sense of reality can be impacted in ways that can ultimately harm patients.  These biases can arise from a variety of sources, including personal experiences, professional training and the cultural and institutional environment in which healthcare providers operate. Cognitive biases can impact all aspects of healthcare ..read more

The word “cancer” usually conjures images of telltale signs – lump formations, persistent coughs or unrelenting pain. But what if the enemy wore a mask, its true nature hid behind the guise of a seemingly harmless ailment? Welcome to the world of frequently misdiagnosed cancers, the chameleons of the disease kingdom. Without an accurate cancer diagnosis, patients are subject to delayed diagnoses, potentially impacting treatment outcomes. Here are a few top offenders. Lung cancer in disguise This lurker shares symptoms with less severe conditions like pneumonia, acid reflux or asthma. Seek anot ..read more

Mistakes during drug administration can cause a host of medical challenges. Someone who receives the wrong drug might have an allergic reaction. The wrong dose could potentially lead to severe consequences, including an overdose. Timing errors could decrease the efficacy of someone’s treatment. People often worry that they could make mistakes when taking a prescription and might prefer whenever possible to have medical professionals administer their medications. Receiving intravenous (IV) drugs may seem like a particularly safe option. A pharmacist or technician compounds the liquid solution o ..read more

We live in an era where advanced medicine is helping people live longer, healthier lives. Diseases that at one time would have meant certain death, can be managed with a daily pill. We look to our physicians to recommend pharmaceuticals that have been thoroughly researched and deemed safe for use. But what if the harm caused by the medicine outweighs the good? Furthermore, what if the pharmaceutical company knew of the danger but continued recommending it to healthcare providers? Can drug companies be charged with medical malpractice? Holding big pharma accountable A medical malpractice suit i ..read more