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The emergency room is a busy, fast-moving place. In fact, 139 million people visited the emergency room in the United States in one recent year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Emergency room doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals are highly trained and skilled in handling a high caseload and providing people the emergency treatment they need. However, in this fast-paced environment, mistakes can and do happen.
What’s scary is that almost half of medical errors in the emergency room are due to problems with information processing, according to a new study published in De Gruyter’s Journal Diagnosis. This issue is not related to technology — it’s a cognitive shortcoming, and accounts for 45% of all ER errors. In other words, doctors have the right information, but might not act on it in the best way.
The study, Emergency Medicine Closed Claims Study, examined 332 closed claims where patients had sued a hospital because of negligent care received in the emergency room. Having examined the claims, researchers identified that most claims fell into four categories:
If you were injured or otherwise harmed due to an error in the emergency room, the attorneys at Scartelli Olszewski, P.C. can review your case and explain your legal rights. These types of cases are complicated, and we have helped secure maximum recoveries for victims and their families. Contact us at 570-346-2600.
Sources
Preventability of malpractice claims in emergency medicine: a closed claims study
Rachel D. Olszewski, an attorney at Scartelli Olszewski, P.C., is a dedicated advocate for clients who have suffered unjust harm. Following the legacy of her esteemed family members, Rachel specializes in personal injury, medical malpractice, and criminal defense. She is actively involved in professional associations and serves on the board of the Luzerne County Bar Association Charitable Foundation. Rachel is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania state courts and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
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