What You Need to Know About Anesthesia Errors July 19, 2018.

Anesthesia is commonly given to a patient who is about to undergo an inpatient or outpatient surgical procedure. Unfortunately, mistakes can be made that can cause the patient harm or injury. If you suffered injury due to a negligent anesthesiologist or doctor, or due to a mistake or error they made, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Here is some information you should know about anesthesia errors.

What is Anesthesia?

Anesthesia is commonly given to numb a part of the body, typically so that body part can undergo a medical procedure, such as surgery. Three main types of anesthesia are given. General anesthesia is given to knock a patient out or make them completely unconscious. Regional anesthesia is given to desensitize one large part of the body, such as an epidural during pregnancy. Local anesthesia involves applying a drug to one small part of the body to numb the area, such as when facial cosmetic procedures or dental procedures are being performed.

What Can Happen When an Anesthesiologist is Negligent?

When anesthesia is administered, it is important that it be administered properly and in the appropriate dosage. If an anesthesiologist is negligent, many mistakes can occur. Too much or too little of the anesthetic can be administered by a negligent anesthesiologist. A negligent anesthesiologist may also fail to insert and monitor the IV line properly, fail to monitor vital signs, not take the correct action if an emergency presents itself or ignore alarms.

What Possible Complications or Injuries Can Occur Because of Negligence?

If an anesthesiologist is negligent, many complications or injuries can occur. Some of the minor complications include post-operative pain, nausea, and vomiting, temporary confusion and throat or larynx pain. Some of the more serious injuries that can occur due to negligence include stroke, nerve damage, blood clots, pneumonia, a lack of oxygen causing brain damage, and heart attacks. Sometimes when anesthesiologists remove patients from the oxygen machines before the anesthesia has either worn off or has been completely reversed, this can lead to brain injury or even death. If you sustained any of these issues prior to or immediately following a procedure involving anesthesia, you might have a medical negligence claim against the hospital, doctor or anesthesiologist.

If you believe that you have had an adverse reaction to anesthesia or suffered injury because an anesthesiologist failed to properly do their job, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Here at The Mellino Law Firm LLC, we can advise you as to whether you have a compensable injury. If you do, we can help you get the money you are entitled to. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to sit down with an attorney in our law firm and discuss your case.