How to Avoid Becoming the Victim of Emergency Room Medical Errors October 1, 2018.

No one ever expects to be the victim of medical malpractice, especially in the emergency room of a hospital. In a perfect world, we would be able to trust every medical professional we encounter. But sometimes, even the most experienced and qualified physicians make life-threatening mistakes. If you are proactive in following these tactics, you can avoid becoming the victim of an emergency room medical error.

Call 911

By calling an ambulance and getting a ride to the hospital, you can steer clear of the chaos of an emergency room. Since the EMS personnel will be focused solely on you, there is less distraction keeping them from accurately recording all of your information and medical history.

Also, if you find yourself going to the emergency room, contact your primary physician who can fill the EMS personnel in on any details regarding your medical history, like specific allergies you may have.

Bring Support

This is especially important if you are incapacitated for an extended amount of time or under the effects of anesthesia. When you are unable to think clearly, having an extra set of eyes and ears can make a big difference.

Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up

If you do not understand some of the medical jargon your doctor or nurse is using, do not be afraid to ask them to explain what they are saying. If something is not making sense, ask for clarification. It is better to ask questions than deal with the consequences later.

Check Your Prescriptions

One of the leading causes of medical malpractice errors is patients taking the wrong prescription or medication. When you receive a prescription, be sure to ask your doctor what it is, what it is for and when/how often you are supposed to take it. This way you can avoid overdosing or taking the wrong medication altogether.

Also, be sure to get copies of your discharge records to compare them to your actual experience in the emergency room.

Pay Attention

Doctors are human and sometimes even they can make mistakes. That is why it is important to pay attention and watch out for things that don’t seem right. If you have a gut feeling that your doctor is doing something incorrectly, do not be afraid to bring it up to them. Likewise, if your body feels off, tell your doctor. You know what is going on inside of you better than anyone else.

Seek the Assistance of a Medical Malpractice Attorney

If you face an injury caused by an emergency room error, reach out to one of our experienced lawyers at The Mellino Law Firm. We are dedicated to helping you through the stressful process involved with a medical malpractice case.

We will ensure that not even the tiniest detail of your unique case is overlooked. For a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys, contact us today.