The Seattle area is home to some of the finest hospitals in the country. Many residents and tourists go to the emergency rooms when they are suffering from serious ailments and life-threatening injuries. The professionals they must rely on for treatment are the ones that might cause them further harm.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states annually, emergency rooms see more than 141 million patients. Patients are so confident in health care workers’ abilities and commitment to their jobs that they fail to realize how tired and overworked these individuals are and the likelihood of mistakes occurring. High-stress levels also increase the risk of near miss events and errors in health care settings, states MSU Today.
Medication errors
Medication errors are very likely to happen in emergency rooms. Common causes include label mix-ups, wrong patients, improper dosage and administration and adverse medication reactions. Many mistakes are preventable if patients carry a list and dosage information on all current medications they take and drugs that give them adverse reactions. A close friend or family member should accompany them to ensure they receive the standard of care they deserve.
Misdiagnosis and delays in treatment
Doctors and nurses do make mistakes. Not all errors that occur are the fault of doctors and nurses. Physicians must use information that patients give them to determine which diagnostic tests and medical procedures are necessary. Misdiagnosis and treatment delays are likely when patients are not truthful and when health care providers do not realize the importance of serious and potentially life-threatening symptoms.
Errors are becoming so common in the medical field that patients must speak up to prevent issues in the delivery of their care that might cause them harm. They should also hold health care workers accountable when mistakes occur to prevent future mishaps.