Sometimes it helps to know what experts inside an industry are thinking to know what dangers you should be on alert for…
So we’ve done some homework for you to see what safety concerns doctors have for 2015. Here is their list:
Healthcare-acquired infections (HAI). According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in every 25 patients will contract an HAI during a hospital stay in 2015 – and many of those will prove to be fatal. And treating these infections costs the healthcare industry upwards of $9.8 billion each year.
Antibiotic resistance. Superbugs are here and they’re killers. It’s feared that we will soon be in an era where simple cuts and scratches may once again kill. The Centers for Disease Control estimates 2 million people will contract an infection by bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics in 2015 and as many as 23,000 people will die as a direct result.
Personal protective equipment protocol. Ebola changed the way medicine looks at deadly infectious diseases. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued new guidelines for protective gear for health care professionals. Expect these guidelines to get a lot of attention in the new year.
Hand hygiene. Believe it or not – according to health care experts, doctors and nurses just aren’t washing their hands enough. Expect medical societies to press harder for strict adherence to hygiene protocols.
Health IT issues. While the creation of electronic record systems has improved health care to a degree – the rapid pace of change has led to an increase in human error in applying this data. Improving access to electronic records when they are needed will continue to be a big deal in 2015.
Medication errors. We have written a lot about this one. Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in America… with medication errors playing a large role in that mortality rate. The Institute of Medicine has estimated that nearly 1.5 million Americans experience an adverse event due to a medication error each year, costing the health system nearly $3.5 billion in extra costs.
Workforce safety. All too many clinicians suffer from fatigue and exhaustion – which in turn leads to injuries and medical errors. Expect major health care facilities to focus on improving conditions for caregivers.
Diagnostic errors. Do you know someone whose doctor failed to properly diagnose a medical problem? A 2013 study from Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore found nearly 8 percent of medical malpractice payouts exceeding $1 million from 2004 to 2010, the majority of which were due to misdiagnoses.
What can you do to protect yourself and your family?
Learn the dangers of any procedure or treatment and ask your medical providers lots of questions to make sure you know and understand your best treatment options.
If you or a loved one is ever the victim of a medical error, a defective drug, the improper prescription of a drug therapy, over-exposure to medical radiation, a hospital-acquired infection, a fall while in the hospital, a preventable blood clot, a misdiagnosis, or any form of medical malpractice, call a qualified Connecticut medical malpractice lawyer. A knowledgeable malpractice attorney can help to ensure that your rights are protected.
RisCassi & Davis has handled hundreds of defective drug and medical malpractice cases over our nearly 60 years serving the people of Connecticut.
What’s more, our Connecticut medical malpractice lawyers have received local and national recognition for our handling of these cases.
We have a great team of legal experts dedicated to medical malpractice in Connecticut. Please contact us if we can help you.
The consultation is free and there is no obligation of any kind.