12/24/11 ANESTHESIA ERRORS & MEDICAL MALPRACTICE Print

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ANESTHESIA ERRORS & MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Posted By landon On May 26, 2009 @ 4:29 pm In | No Comments

Possible Causes of Anesthesia Errors | Injuries Caused by Anesthesia Errors | Anesthesia

Awareness | Getting Help After an Anesthesia Error

When a patient undergoes a surgical procedure, anesthesiologists often

use a general anesthetic, which allows the patient to enter an unconscious or semi-
conscious state in the absence of pain. While anesthesia is generally considered safe
today, anesthesia errors can be made, leading to disastrous consequences. Current
statistics indicate that 1 in every 200,000 to 300,000 patients die due to anesthesia
complications.

Anesthesia errors can occur for a number of reasons, but are often the result of
professional negligence. When an anesthesia error could have been prevented given
current medical knowledge, the responsible medical providers can be held liable for the
patient s injuries and suffering under medical malpractice laws. If you or a loved one has
suffered injury or death because of an anesthesia error, you may be eligible to seek
compensation for your damages including, but not limited to, past and future medical
expenses, loss of income, disability, emotional pain and suffering, and more.

The qualified medical malpractice attorneys at Oshman & Mirisola are experienced in
helping people who have suffered serious injuries due to medical mistakes such as
anesthesia error. We would like to learn how we could help. Please contact us to speak
with a qualified attorney who can answer your questions about anesthesia error and help
you understand your legal rights and options.

Possible Causes of Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesia errors can occur at various

points during a patient s time in the hospital or doctor s office. We trust our medical
providers to do everything possible to prevent anesthesia errors. When they fail to
exercise the degree of care and prudence necessary, injured patients have the right to
hold them accountable.

The following are some of the most common anesthesia mistakes resulting from medical
negligence or wrongful action:

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Anesthesia dosage error: This can happen when an anesthetic product is
improperly labeled, resulting in the administration of the incorrect dose. A dosage
error can also happen if an anesthesiologist gives the patient too much or too little
anesthesia.
Delayed anesthesia delivery: This anesthesia error can be due to vaporizer
leakage, IV errors, syringe-swapping troubles, and other complications at the
outset of surgery.
Failure to intubate or injury caused during intubation: During surgery, an
anesthesiologist will often intubate a patient to help them breath safely during the
procedure. If this medical provider makes an error during intubation, serious injury
can result.
Failure to properly monitor a patient: An anesthesiologist is responsible for
regulating a patient s level of consciousness during the procedure, ensuring that a
patient is not experiencing any complications or distress. Failure to fulfill these
essential duties constitutes medical malpractice.
Failure to recognize complications
Leaving the head of the bed, allowing the patient to go unattended: The operating
room can be a hectic busy environment, with many opportunities for distraction.
However, as previously stated, an anesthesiologist and other medical providers
have the primary duty of monitoring the patient and preventing harm.
Turning off the alarm on the pulse oximeter: This device is used during many
medical procedures to monitor the level of oxygen in a patient s blood. This is a key
vital sign monitored during surgery. These medical devices have an alarm function
intended to alert medical providers when levels give cause for concern. If a medical
professional turns this function off, they may miss important clues about patient
distress and injury.
Improper or negligent administration of oxygen during surgery
Allowing oxygen to come too close to hot surgical equipment
Drug or alcohol use by an attending medical provider
Communication errors before, during or after the procedure, which can occur
between and among medical staff and patients: Among many possible scenarios,
this may include such communication errors as failure to give patients proper
instructions about eating and drinking before surgery.
Dangerously prolonged sedation
Defective equipment

Injuries Caused b Anesthesia Errors

The type of damage caused by anesthesia error will undoubtedly depend on the type of
mistake that was made and the subsequent medical response. The most common injuries
caused by anesthesia errors include:

Tracheal damage or injury to surrounding areas caused by intubation errors

Asphyxia or lack of adequate oxygen supply
Cardiovascular injury, which may include heart attack or stroke
Birth defects
Loss of bodily function
Brain damage including traumatic brain injury or TBI
Spinal cord injury, which often leads to paralysis or loss of feeling and function in
the body
Coma
Death

Anesthesia Awareness

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Anesthesia awareness is a particular type

of serious harm that can occur because of anesthesia error. As we mentioned above, an
anesthesiologist has the responsibility to correctly regulate a patient s consciousness
during a surgical procedure. If the medical provider administers an insufficient dose of
anesthesia, a patient may wake up in the middle of the procedure.

This can be a horrifying experience, since the person is often paralyzed and unable to
speak yet they are aware of what is happening and may even experience the extreme
pain of surgery. According to a study in Anesthesia & Analgesia, nearly one-half of
patients who experience anesthesia awareness will hear conversations in the operating
room, half will feel as if they cannot breathe, and 28 percent will feel the pain of
surgery.

Experiencing anesthesia awareness can be traumatizing physically and/or emotionally.

Some patients who experience awareness report feelings of paralysis and helplessness.
The emotional trauma associated with anesthesia awareness can lead a patient to
develop post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, sleep problems, and more.

In the past (and perhaps even today), hospitals and doctors have been reluctant to
address the serious issue of anesthesia awareness. However, this is undeniable problem
affects thousands of Americans each year and it is getting harder to ignore. In fact, the
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations states that 21,000 to
42,000 Americans experience anesthesia awareness each year.

In some cases, anesthesia awareness occurs because a patient reacts unexpectedly to a

type or dose of general anesthetic, they are given a light dose on purpose due to the
instability or severity of their condition, or a medication masks signs that a patient has not
received enough anesthesia. However, anesthesia awareness may be the result of a
medical professional s error or equipment failure. In the latter cases, the injured
patient may be able to seek compensation for their losses and suffering.

Getting Help After an Anesthesia Error

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury because of an anesthesia error, you may
be able to seek compensation for your losses and suffering. To learn more about your
legal rights and options please contact the qualified and experienced New York medical
malpractice attorneys at Oshman & Mirisola for a free and confidential consultation. We
are available to answer your questions and determine the best course of action given
your situation.

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