Technical Errors Pervasive in Surgical Procedures: New Study
Most medical mistakes that occur during surgery are the result of technical errors -- and for the most part, those mistakes are made by experienced surgeons during routine operations. The finding is the result of recent research published in the journal Annals of Surgery.
One hundred forty medical malpractice cases were examined as part of the study, and research data demonstrates that 49% of those cases involved technical errors that caused permanent disability. An additional 16 percent involved technical errors that resulted in death. Of the technical errors studied, 73% involved fully-trained and experienced surgeons operating within their areas of expertise, and 84% occurred during routine operations. The most common types of operations associated with the errors were general or gastrointestinal surgery (31%), spine surgery (15%), gynecologic surgery (12%), and non-spine orthopedic surgery (9%). Authors of the study recommend that surgical safety research should focus on improving decision-making and surgeon performance during routine operations for complex patients and circumstances.
Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:
- A study linking unnecessary caesarean deliveries to breathing problems
- Tips for compiling a medical questions list to take along on medical appointments
- A guide to evaluating the reliability of medical websites
For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.