Teaching Hospitals More Likely To Have Medical Errors Including Death After Emergency Surgeries
Reuters reports that a new study has been released showing an increased risk of complications and deaths from medical errors following emergency surgeries at teaching hospitals than at non-teaching hospitals. In fact, the study concluded that the chance of dying after an emergency surgery was 20% higher at teaching hospitals. Dr. Rachel Kelz, the senior author of the study, did not provide any specific reason for the finding, although some speculate that the type of patients selecting a teaching hospital may be more sick or have more complex cases than those go to non-teaching hospitals.
An earlier study released in March indicated that for those patients requiring complex surgeries, the risk of dying is lower at a teaching hospital.
For all patients however, the most important factor is safety and providing the best chance of a positive outcome. Medical providers are supposed to offer care and support during critical moments. When health care professional fall below the standard of care – causing harm and potential death – they may be guilty of medical malpractice.
Although not every bad outcome constitutes medical negligence, if you suffer additional harm or symptoms not typically associated with the procedure you may have a claim for medical malpractice.
For more information or if you believe you or a family member is the victim of a medical error, please contact the San Francisco medical malpractice attorneys at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP today.
