Medical Experts Propose Ways to Prevent Substandard Care
Posted: Jan 23, 2017 1:39 PM
Doctors, nurses and pharmacists have a duty to provide competent care that meets the standards of their particular field. Unfortunately, due to fatigue, communication errors and other factors, medical mistakes are alarmingly common.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers from Johns Hopkins University discovered that preventable medical errors killed more than 250,000 people in 2013. That means medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the United States.
Victims of medical negligence often face exorbitant health-care bills and cannot return to work. Perhaps worse, they can no longer partake in the activities they enjoyed before their injuries.
If you were hurt by a negligent medical professional in Mississippi, contact the Law Office of Randolph C. Wood, PLLC. Our legal team has over 30 years of combined financial, legal and medical experience. Call 601-709-3584 to discuss your case with Randolph C. Wood, your medical malpractice lawyer in Jackson.
Let’s take a look at a few medical experts’ opinions on how to prevent substandard care:
Advice from Theresa Williamson, MD
O, The Oprah Magazine features Theresa Williamson, MD in a recurring series on how to get better medical care. Dr. Williamson is a resident physician at Duke University School of Medicine’s Department of Neurosurgery.
She reminds readers that doctors see dozens of patients every single day, and although practitioners try to provide personalized care for each and every one, it is challenging to do so. You can ensure that you receive better medical care by opening up to your doctor.
Do not be afraid to share your expectations and fears about a procedure you are about to undergo. Remind your doctor that you are not just a patient; you are a person, and you deserve the best care possible.
Malcolm Gladwell: What the Tort System Should Do
Author Malcolm Gladwell told Forbes that the malpractice tort system as it stands does not serve its purpose. An effective system would compensate victims adequately while addressing the underlying causes of malpractice at the same time. He believes the current system does neither.
Repeat occurrences of malpractice by the same providers are a very real problem. According to The New York Times, researchers found that 1 percent of health-care providers are responsible for 32 percent of paid malpractice claims, and every lawsuit a doctor faces increases his or her likelihood of facing another.
Mr. Gladwell has determined that most malpractice claims arise as a result of a failed system and not as a result of individual errors. He proposes that the system’s primary motivation should be to find the cause of every medical error that leads to a claim and to devise a way to prevent that particular error from happening again.
Unfortunately, improving the medical malpractice tort system will not happen overnight. If you or a member of your family was a victim of medical negligence, the best way to ensure that you are fairly compensated is to consult a personal-injury lawyer who has successfully handled cases that are similar to yours.
Attorney Randolph C. Wood will evaluate your situation, interview your medical team, assess doctors’ records, and help you claim the maximum compensation. Call 601-709-3584 to discuss your claim with Randolph C. Wood, your medical malpractice attorney in Jackson, Mississippi.