The entire world seems to be multi-tasking to the point of extreme. There is a rise in car accidents due to texting and driving. Mothers at the park are checking emails instead of playing with their kids. Employees are obsessively scrolling their Facebook feeds instead of focusing on their job. And now, surgeons are double booking surgeries so they can do more than one operation at a time.
Can we really be in two places at once?
The answer is no. Our minds perform better if our focus is concentrated, especially in highly sensitive and important tasks like surgery.
According to WebMD, in the United States, more than 4,000 preventable mistakes occur in surgery every year at a cost of more than $1.3 billion in medical malpractice payouts. Since doctors in most states are not required to tell patients that they have multiple procedures occurring at the same time, we don’t know how many of these mistakes occur due to overlapping surgeries.
Before surgery, here are some things to keep in mind:
-Ask your doctor if he will be performing the entire surgery and if he will be in your room for the whole process
-Find out hospital policy and reputation (how many times have they paid out in a settlement- not all are reported publicly, but see what you find)
-On the day of surgery, make sure your markings are clear and that they are only marking the areas set for operation
-Have someone you trust to go with you for the surgery to making sure you are comfortable and get the proper care
-Know, very precisely, what your follow-up care is: how long the IV will be dripping, food/drinks to avoid or consume, exercise/ movement restrictions, medications, and vitamin usage
-When will you see the surgeon again? A follow-up appointment is important to address any concern that has arisen. If your doctor does not see you again, decide if that is acceptable to you.
If you suspect something went wrong during your surgery, notify a lawyer immediately. With the rate of mistakes so high, you need to take care of yourself and know your rights. Call TK LawFirm for more help. #MalpracticeAttorney