Why A Competent Surgeon May Cause Surgical Errors
When surgical errors are discussed, many people jump to the conclusion that the responsible surgeon is competent. This isn't the case at all; in fact, accusing a surgeon of surgical mistake isn't the same as saying they are incompetent. Here are a few reasons even a competent surgeon may make a mistake during surgery:
Fatigue
Fatigue is dangerous as far as medical or surgical procedures are concerned. Even the most competent surgeon may make a mistake if they are handling an operation when tired. For example, a tired surgeon is more likely to experience impaired judgment or a lapse in concentration, both of which can lead to surgical mistakes. What is more, surgeons are notorious for long working hours and little sleep, which both contribute to fatigue. This is mostly because many medical or surgical centers don't have adequate personnel numbers.
Intoxication
Just like intoxication increases the risk of accidents, it also increases the risk of surgical errors. Intoxication among surgeons on duty is not common, but it does happen. Intoxication increases the risk of surgical errors because it impairs judgment, interferes with one's sense of balance, reduced vision clarity, and may even induce drowsiness in some people. This means there are so many ways in which intoxication can cause a surgical injury.
Poor Communication
A typical surgical operation is not a one-man job; it involves a team of professionals who must work together for the operation's success. Therefore, miscommunication amongst the team members can easily lead to a surgical mistake by the surgeon. Consider a case where the surgical team fails to avail all the surgical instruments needed for a case or a doctor fails to communicate a patient's medication tolerances or allergies. Such miscommunication can easily lead to a surgical "mistake" from a surgeon, for example, if they end up using the wrong drug on a patient during surgery.
Inadequate Preoperative Planning
Lastly, an inadequate preparation may also lead to a surgical mistake from a competent doctor. For example, if a surgeon doesn't get enough time to review the patient's medical history, they can easily make a mistake during the surgery. This may happen if a surgeon is pulled from one operation to another or in the case of an emergency surgical intervention.
Consult a medical malpractice attorney firm, like Lerner, Piermont & Riverol, P.A. ,
if you have been injured as a result of a surgeon's mistake or error. The attorney will evaluate the case to determine if it is medical malpractice and advise you on the way forward.