Anaesthetic Mistakes
As a Medical Negligence team at Advantage Solicitors, we have experienced solicitors who specialise in clinical negligence claims, including cases involving anaesthetic errors. Our team handles a wide range of medical negligence matters.
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Anaesthetic Mistake Claims
Anaesthetic mistakes, though rare, can have serious consequences for patients undergoing surgery or other medical procedures. These errors often stem from human error, equipment malfunction, or issues in the process of administering anaesthesia.
Below are some common types of anaesthetic mistakes and their causes:
Incorrect Dosing
Overdosing: Administering too much anaesthetic can lead to complications such as respiratory depression, cardiovascular instability, or even death.
Underdosing: Not providing enough anaesthetic can result in insufficient sedation or pain relief, causing the patient to experience pain during surgery or become aware of their surroundings, which could lead to psychological trauma (e.g., awareness during surgery).
Wrong Medication
Sometimes, the wrong type of anaesthetic or medication may be administered due to miscommunication or confusion. This could lead to allergic reactions, interactions with other medications, or complications in the patient’s condition.
Equipment Failure
Malfunctioning Equipment: Issues like faulty anaesthesia machines or failure to check equipment properly can result in inadequate delivery of gases or drugs.
Misconnection or Misplacement: Equipment such as endotracheal tubes may be misplaced, causing issues with airway management and ventilation.
Airway Management Mistakes
Intubation Failures: Problems during intubation, such as incorrect placement of the tube, can lead to inadequate ventilation and oxygenation.
Aspiration: Improper positioning or failure to secure the airway can lead to aspiration of stomach contents, which can cause lung damage or infection (aspiration pneumonia).
Monitoring Errors
Anaesthesia providers rely on various monitors (e.g., oxygen levels, blood pressure, and heart rate). Inadequate monitoring or failure to react to abnormal readings can result in undetected complications.
Failure to Recognise Changes in Vital Signs: If the anaesthesiologist fails to notice warning signs, such as low oxygen levels or irregular heart rate, it can delay treatment and worsen the patient’s condition.
Inadequate Patient Assessment
A thorough assessment of a patient’s medical history is crucial before administering anaesthesia. Failing to evaluate factors like allergies, comorbidities, or previous anaesthetic complications can result in mistakes during anaesthesia administration.
Failure to Consider Special Needs: Patients with obesity, difficult airways, or pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions require specialized anaesthetic management.
Communication Breakdown
Poor communication between the anaesthesiologist and the surgical team can lead to mistakes. For instance, failing to properly communicate the patient’s condition, concerns, or changes in status can result in inappropriate drug administration or care.
Inadequate Recovery Monitoring
After the procedure, patients need to be closely monitored for any signs of anaesthetic complications, such as breathing problems or severe pain. Failure to monitor recovery can result in prolonged unconsciousness or complications from residual anaesthesia.
Concerned About an Anaesthetic Mistake?
If you believe you have suffered from an anaesthetic mistake, or are unsure whether your experience qualifies, please use the form below to contact us. Our medical negligence team will get back to you shortly.
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