Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLPPersonal Injury & Medical Malpractice Attorneys | North Adams, Pittsfield, Springfield MA2024-03-26T14:54:23Zhttps://www.docatty.com/feed/atom/WordPressOn Behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLPhttps://www.docatty.com/?p=528862024-03-26T14:54:23Z2024-03-26T14:54:23ZOver the last few decades, an increasing number of hospitals, physician practices and nursing homes have all come under the ownership of private equity firms.
Hailed for their supposed efficiency (and profits), private equity firms are having a huge impact on modern healthcare, but it isn’t a positive one.
No money, no supplies and poor patient care
In theory, private equity companies are supposed to improve a medical practice’s efficiency without lowering the quality of care that patients receive. In practice, however, studies indicate that patient falls, bed sores and hospital-acquired infections increase once private equity companies get involved:
Patient slips, trips and falls rise by 27.3%
Central line-associated bloodstream infections increase 37.7% (despite the use of central lines dropping 16.2%)
Surgical site infections doubled even while the number of surgical procedures dropped 8.1%
There is a slight decrease in patient mortality associated with private equity hospitals, but that may be related to the fact that their patients are typically younger (which generally translates to healthier and less complicated medical histories), less likely to have dual coverage under Medicare and Medicaid and more likely to be transferred to other facilities for acute care.Private equity firms are primarily driven by financial returns on their investments. This can translate into cost-cutting measures aimed at maximizing profits for their shareholders. Unfortunately, these cost-saving strategies often come at the expense of patient safety. Necessary resources may be reduced, supplies may be rationed, staffing levels may be stretched thin and corners may be cut in areas critical to patient care, such as infection control and equipment maintenance.If you or your loved one suffers an adverse medical event that you believe was related to poor patient care in a private equity clinic, practice or hospital, you may have the right to compensation. Learning more about how medical malpractice laws work can help.]]>On Behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLPhttps://www.docatty.com/?p=528842024-03-15T11:12:00Z2024-03-15T11:12:00Zresult in medical malpractice include the following.
Breakdowns in team coordination
One of the primary ways that poor communication contributes to medical malpractice is through breakdowns in team coordination. Healthcare delivery often involves a multidisciplinary team approach, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. When there is a lack of clear and concise communication within this team, critical information about patient care may be misinterpreted, overlooked or not communicated at all. This can result in errors such as incorrect medication being administered, delays in treatment or even failure to diagnose a condition accurately.
Misunderstanding patient needs
Poor communication not only affects the interaction among healthcare workers but also between healthcare providers and patients. Misunderstandings or lack of clarity in explaining diagnoses, treatment plans and procedures can leave patients confused about their health care. This can lead to non-compliance with treatment regimens, incorrect use of medication and a general mistrust between the patient and healthcare providers. Such scenarios can exacerbate health issues, potentially leading to claims of negligence or malpractice if the patient's condition worsens due to misunderstandings or lack of information.
Documentation errors
Another critical area impacted by poor communication is the documentation of patient care. Accurate and timely documentation in medical records is essential for the continuity of care. Inadequate communication can lead to incomplete, inaccurate or misleading entries in patient records. Such errors can have dire consequences, including incorrect treatment decisions based on faulty information, which can culminate in adverse patient outcomes and legal actions against healthcare providers.
Effective communication among healthcare workers is not just beneficial for patient care; it's imperative. The consequences of poor communication can lead to a cascade of failures in patient care, culminating in medical malpractice. If you are a victim of malpractice, know that you have legal rights. Seeking legal guidance is a good way to learn how to exercise them effectively.]]>On Behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLPhttps://www.docatty.com/?p=528832024-02-28T15:53:44Z2024-02-28T15:53:44ZHeart attacks can certainly happen to both men and women. In some cases, these individuals are able to go to the hospital or the doctor’s office and talk through their symptoms. If they get prompt treatment, they may be saved and make a full recovery.
But there are some major issues with this process, specifically for women. Studies have found that doctors misdiagnose heart attacks far more often when they are meeting with female patients, compared to when they are meeting with male patients. These women may be told that they have unrelated issues, such as heartburn or indigestion, and then be sent home to get some rest. But if they’re actually having a heart attack, this could be a fatal mistake by their doctor.
Why does this happen?
This phenomenon is likely due to the differences in symptoms that doctors expect. Many people assume that a heart attack is almost always going to present as chest pain, and potentially as pain radiating down the arm. And for many men, this is true, so it’s the first symptom that a lot of doctors are looking for.But women will often present other symptoms before chest pain, such as shortness of breath, neck pain or jaw pain, nausea and feelings of sickness, or just fatigue. Doctors see these symptoms and don’t even consider a heart attack because they are waiting for chest pain, so they misdiagnose the condition.It’s very important for doctors to understand what symptoms to look for and to provide a reasonable level of care to all patients, of all genders. Those who have been harmed through medical mistakes must be aware of their legal options.]]>On Behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLPhttps://www.docatty.com/?p=528722024-02-18T23:42:13Z2024-02-18T23:42:13ZCancer can spread rapidly
Some types of cancer grow relatively slowly and may not worsen substantially even if a doctor's mistake delays a patient's diagnosis by months. Other times, a doctor diagnosing someone with the wrong condition might have a drastic impact on that patient's long-term prognosis. Cancer often metastasizes or spreads to other parts of the body as it grows. Some types of cancer can spread to the rest of the body within weeks. If a patient doesn't receive an accurate and prompt diagnosis, they might progress from having treatable cancer to being at risk of dying.
Treatment options change as cancer develops
Not only does someone's chance of death increase with a delayed diagnosis, but their options for treatment also dwindle. Some of the least-invasive and most effective forms of cancer treatment are only available during the early stages of cancer development. The surgical removal of cancerous growth or the treatment of someone's condition with immunotherapy may only be an option if a doctor diagnoses them early. Those who have cancer that has spread may need to undergo far more invasive and debilitating forms of treatment, such as systemic chemotherapy.
When patients can show that a doctor failed to conduct testing or acknowledge self-reported symptoms that could have led to an accurate diagnosis, they may have grounds to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit after a delayed cancer diagnosis. Understanding the impact that medical errors can have on someone's health, finances and quality of life might motivate them to take legal action in response to a diagnostic failure.]]>On Behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLPhttps://www.docatty.com/?p=528682024-02-15T04:10:33Z2024-02-15T04:10:33ZMedical errors caused by negligent providers can lead to devastating outcomes, and this kind of professional mistreatment is usually out of patients’ hands.
With that said, surgical patients can take proactive steps to minimize risks and more effectively protect themselves before they go under. Here we’ll discuss a few.
Tips to keep in mind
If you are undergoing a surgical procedure in the near future, there are a few things that you can do to safeguard your health and safety more effectively while you’re being treated.
First, everyone show know that informed consent is a fundamental right and an important step in safeguarding against medical malpractice. Make sure that you fully understand the nature of the surgery, the reasons it's necessary, the expected benefits and potential risks or complications. Do not hesitate to ask for detailed explanations or seek a second opinion if something is unclear or concerns arise.
Second, researching the credentials and reputation of your health care provider and facilities is generally a very good idea. Look for surgeons and hospitals with a strong track record of performing the specific procedure that you need. This information is often available through medical boards or online reviews. A provider's history of malpractice suits can be a red flag, indicating a need to consider alternative options.
Finally, be sure to communicate openly and thoroughly with your surgical team. This includes discussing any allergies, current medications and past medical history. Transparency can help to ensure that the team can plan for the safest surgical approach and anticipate potential complications. Additionally, discussing the post-surgery recovery process and follow-up care is crucial for a smoother and more informed recovery journey.
While patients should never be blamed for negative outcomes caused by medical malpractice, they are not powerless over their care. By being an active participant in your pre-surgical journey, you can better ensure that your interests will be protected as you move forward.]]>On Behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLPhttps://www.docatty.com/?p=528662024-01-29T20:39:25Z2024-01-29T20:39:25ZThere are few car accidents as dangerous as a wrong-way accident on the interstate. This is a head-on crash, which is highly dangerous on its own, even with modern safety systems like airbags, crumple zones and seatbelts. Additionally, drivers on the interstate may be going around 75 miles an hour. This means that their combined speed is closer to 150 miles an hour, creating a very violent collision.
Of course, though, this is a type of collision that should never occur. Interstates are divided by walls or medians and are controlled by on-ramps and off-ramps. Drivers should always be heading in the same direction, while merging in and out of the roadway via the ramps. Head on collisions should be impossible unless someone is driving entirely the wrong direction. Why would that happen?
Alcohol impairment
More than anything else, these wrong-way accidents happen because of alcohol impairment on the part of one of the drivers. They’re intoxicated and so they overlook the wrong-way signs at the bottom of the ramp – and they may not even understand that they’re driving in the wrong direction. Many drunk drivers are just as surprised as their victims when they cause an accident.That said, alcohol impairment is not the only reason. The use of other substances, such as illegal drugs, prescription medications or marijuana, could also cause someone to drive the wrong way on the interstate. Some very young drivers could make mistakes because of their lack of experience, while very old drivers could make similar errors because they’re facing cognitive decline at their age. But alcohol does cause more accidents than these other issues, so it is the main focus for safety experts and lawmakers.Even if you stay sober while you drive, you could be hit and significantly injured by another driver. Be sure you know how to seek compensation for medical bills and related costs.]]>On Behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLPhttps://www.docatty.com/?p=528652024-01-13T04:07:51Z2024-01-13T04:07:51ZMost drivers do something dangerous at some point
If you reflect on your driving history, you can likely find examples of mistakes you have made and gotten away with. The same would be true for anyone. Driving is difficult. It’s a complex task that requires a lot of concentration and coordination. If you are feeling under the weather, tired or stressed it can make driving safely even more of a challenge. So, it’s understandable that drivers make errors that end in collisions.
That does not make their errors OK, though. Every driver has a responsibility to do all they can to drive in a way that does not jeopardize the safety of others. If someone makes a mistake that injures you, you have every right to seek compensation from them, just as they would from you if the situation were reversed. You don’t need to show they are a stupid person or a dangerous one. You just need to show that in the moments before the crash, they were negligent, and one mistake is all it takes to show that.]]>On Behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLPhttps://www.docatty.com/?p=528642024-01-08T05:17:31Z2024-01-08T05:17:31ZBad bedside manner explained
Bedside manner is the way a doctor interacts with patients. Although some medical professionals are very attentive and compassionate, others are cold and don’t try to assuage a patient’s fears or concerns. In most cases, this doesn’t automatically equate to medical malpractice, but it can leave patients feeling unhappy and misunderstood. Patients are also less likely to continue seeing doctors with bad bedside manners or recommend them to family members or friends.
When bad bedside manner becomes malpractice
Sometimes, bad bedside manners can become medical malpractice. Doctors are obligated to listen to their patients, hear their concerns and answer their questions in ways the patient understands. They must communicate effectively, or the patient may leave dissatisfied and uncertain about the care they’ve received.
If the doctor fails to take the patient’s concerns about symptoms into account and doesn’t order diagnostic tests, it could later lead to the patient suffering harm due to a misdiagnosis. For example, a woman sees a doctor complaining about a pain in her chest that’s written off as a pulled muscle. However, later, she sees another doctor for a second opinion and learns she has stage 3 breast cancer. This is a situation that can be deadly and is a prime example of medical malpractice.
Patients who suffer harm must advocate for themselves. They could file a complaint with the hospital the doctor is affiliated with and even the state medical board. A medical malpractice claim might be the best course of action.]]>On Behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLPhttps://www.docatty.com/?p=528622023-12-21T21:35:34Z2023-12-21T21:35:34ZBreaches of birth injury care standards
Birth injuries are preventable when healthcare professionals adhere to the standard of care for both the mother and baby. These include identifying and addressing uncommon findings, monitoring their health, etc. Possible signs of medical malpractice leading to birth injuries include inattentive or unqualified health providers.
Brachial palsy birth injuries
This results from damage to the nerves that provide sensation and control to the arms and hands. Brachial palsy mainly occurs when there's a problem delivering the baby's shoulders. The baby loses the ability to rotate and flex the arm (shoulder dystocia). If there were some swelling or bruising around the nerves, healing might take a few months.
However, complete tearing of the nerves might lead to permanent nerve damage. During recovery, the patient undergoes exercises to preserve the arm's motion.
Brain-related birth injuries
Injuries related to childbirth can result in varying degrees of brain damage. While certain fractures may lead to brain damage, most don't. Some of the most common brain-related birth injuries include:
Hemorrhage: A hemorrhage or bleeding occurs in and around the brain. This can cause permanent health issues or varying amounts of damage.
Cephalohematoma: This is bleeding below the periosteum, a layer of tissue over the skull. Cephalohematoma is usually treatable and doesn't cause any permanent damage.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: The primary indicator of HIE is an insufficient supply of oxygen to the infant's brain at birth. Inadequate oxygen supply can kill brain cells, causing the development of cerebral palsy.
Cerebral dysgenesis: This denotes an abnormal progression and formation of the brain in an infant. An infection or direct damage during childbirth are some of the common causes.
Birth injuries range from temporary and mild to severe. Fortunately, most of these injuries are not fatal and do not lead to significant, lasting complications.]]>On Behalf of Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLPhttps://www.docatty.com/?p=528312023-12-16T17:12:40Z2023-12-16T17:12:40ZShoulder dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a critical situation that arises during childbirth. It occurs when the baby's shoulders get trapped behind the mother's pelvic bone after the head has been delivered. This complication can happen without warning. It poses risks to the baby and the mother. For the baby, the primary concern is the potential for nerve damage, particularly to the brachial plexus, and in severe cases, lack of oxygen leading to brain damage. Mothers can face risks such as bleeding or uterine rupture.
Brachial plexus injuries
Brachial plexus injuries involve damage to the nerves that control the shoulders, arms, and hands. During childbirth, these injuries can occur due to excessive stretching, often as a result of complications like shoulder dystocia. Symptoms in newborns may include a lack of movement in one arm or a decreased grip.
Hypoxia
Hypoxia is a condition where the baby's brain and other organs don't receive enough oxygen during birth. This can lead to severe complications, including developmental delays or cerebral palsy. Issues with the umbilical cord, placenta or prolonged labor can cause hypoxia.
The medical care that’s required for some of these injuries can be time consuming and costly. Parents may choose to seek compensation through a medical malpractice claim if their child’s injuries were caused by professional negligence. This enables them to hold the medical team liable and to recover the financial damages. There are strict time limits in Massachusetts to get these cases filed, so seeking legal guidance swiftly is critical.]]>