Anesthesia Malpractice

Most major medical procedures require the administration of anesthesia. For a patient undergoing the anesthesia procedure, it is a nerve-wracking and unnerving procedure. A mistake in the administration of anesthesia can have catastrophic consequences. Under anesthesia, a patient is rendered literally helpless and must trust the physician and hospital staff to appropriately administer the drugs and monitor the patient’s status. Mistaken drug doses and improper monitoring can result in serious injury, including brain damage and even death.

Due to surgical complications, many patients do not wake up after surgery due to negligent anesthesia administration. Most families suffer losses everyday without realizing their loved one died as a result of anesthesia malpractice. This occurs because most people are unsure what the precise role of an anesthesiologist is. The anesthesiologist’s job includes managing and delivering various medicines, oxygen and other fluids to the patent during the procedure, monitoring urine output and blood loss, and documenting all information regarding the operation, including vital signs, fluids, and drugs. Improper or negligent administration of anesthesia, fluid or gases can result in lack of oxygen to the brain, a stroke, brain damage, permanent coma or even death. Simple monitoring can prevent most of these complications.

The anesthesiologist interacts with the patient before the operation even begins. Pre-anesthesia care involves a patient evaluation, a conformation of pre-operative date and a record of the operative plans. Creating a successful anesthesia plan involves clear communication between the anesthesiologists, patients, surgeons and nurses. Failing to perform a final patient assessment for anesthesia tolerance before the surgery can result in serious injuries, complications and side affects. Before the surgery and administration of anesthesia, the patient needs to be positioned properly with the correct padding in order to reduce the risk of pressure injuries during the operation. Failure to properly position a patient can result in brain injuries and paralysis; proper placement of IV lines is necessary for the prevention of anesthesia-related complications. While in surgery, anesthesiologists must monitor the electrocardiograms, oxygen level, and automatic blood pressure equipment. After surgery, patients are transferred to a recovery room where they remain under the care and monitoring of the anesthesia staff. If the nursing or anesthesia staff negligently monitors the patient, the patient’s chances of negative side effects, complications and death rises. The patient should not be discharged until stable and coherent.

Even if a patient does not undergo direct administration of anesthesia, general anesthesia can also result in severe complications. The administration of general anesthesia typically requires an endotracheal tube be inserted into the patient’s trachea. Negligent intubation of the patient’s airway can lead to respiratory distress, tracheal injury and other complications. Even negligent placement of tourniquets during the administration of anesthesia can cause permanent nerve damage to the patient’s limb. The Miami anesthesia malpractice attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona are aware of the different indirect injuries that are caused by negligent administration of anesthesia and can help you and your family recover compensation for these injuries.

Many anesthesia malpractice victims suffer financially as well as physically. The Miami anesthesia malpractice lawyers can help recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Contact the Fort Lauderdale anesthesia malpractice lawyers today for your free consultation! Let our family take care of your family!