There are now about 9 million epidural injections performed annually in the United States and the number of procedures appears to be growing. In 2014, the FDA warned that injection of corticosteroids into the epidural space of the spine may result in rare but serious neurological events, such as “loss of vision, stroke, paralysis and […]
The majority of hospitals and doctors in this country never admit that their conduct resulted in patient injury or death. This lack of transparency and accountability is a lost opportunity to improve patient safety and prevent medical errors. Recently, a few hospitals have started to admit mistakes, apologizing and attempting to fix what went wrong. […]
Attorney Veronica A. Richards has been appointed to the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority. The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority is an independent state agency that is charged with taking steps to reduce and eliminate medical errors by identifying problems and recommending solutions that promote patient safety in Pennsylvania’s healthcare facilities. The Authority […]
When you went to the hospital or birthing center for the delivery of your child, you were probably nervous about the well-being of your baby. The arrival of your child was a significant event, and the hospital stay likely brought joyful visitors and tender moments of bonding. However, for the staff of nurses and doctors, […]
With the approaching of flu season again, more and more people are going to be receiving flu shots. Almost everyone is encouraged to get a flu vaccination in order to prevent the spread of the influenza virus with very limited exceptions such as infants and those with serious allergies to flu vaccine. One reason many […]
Going to the hospital during the summer months may be a bad idea as medical errors increase starting in June and ending in September. If you are planning an elective procedure, choose a time other than the summer. What makes summer the most dangerous time for you to be hospitalized? Human errors rise in the […]
There is reason to be optimistic in the field of medical malpractice. Check out this article in the Wall Street Journal, highlighting the fact that insurers and medical specialty groups are reviewing thousands of medical malpractice lawsuits that have either been tried or settled. One of the reasons for the review is to identify issues […]
Pennsylvania residents who need to undergo surgery can understandably be nervous. This nervous feeling may relate to many things from concerns about what may be discovered during an operation to medical errors that may be made in the process. While no patient wants to think about the potential of becoming the victim of medical negligence, […]
According to a recent article published by the British Medical journal, medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Martin Makary and Michael Daniel assess its contribution to mortality and call for better reporting, because medical error is not included on death certificates or in rankings of cause of death. […]
When you or a family member in Pennsylvania becomes sick or injured, the last thing you should have to worry about is the safety of your medical care. However, in today’s society, this concern is a valid one. Many a medical error has been known to leave patients with serious injuries. In some cases, patients […]
