Hospital Errors and Mistakes

Hospitals have long been a crucial part of the United States healthcare system. They are used in times of emergency as well as in times of general poor health for the large quantities of health services and surgical facilities they provide. These locations of healthcare provide many benefits but come with a certain level of risk at the same time.

One of the first things to think about when deciding on a hospital for an elective surgery is the hospital’s reputation. Not all hospitals are going to be ranked in the top 5 nationally but if there is a choice between a hospital with an excellent local reputation and one that has a reputation for substandard care, obviously choose the hospital with the better reputation. Reputations don’t just appear; there is generally something behind a reputation, either good or bad.

Once a hospital is selected, the quality of care at that specific hospital is extremely important. The quality of care provided is influenced and affected by the quality and amount of training, education, supervision, and resources provided to the employees that actually make the hospital work. If a hospital skimps on nursing staff, support staff, the amount of supplies available, or even the number of doctors on a shift, accidents can and do occur. These resources all affect how well a hospital can treat a patient and ensure his or her recovery.

Overall, doing one’s homework before going into surgery or receiving treatment is crucial. For emergency visits, such decisions may be out of one’s hands but reputation should still be taken into account for post operative care.

Contact a Philadelphia Hospital Error Lawyer

If you have been injured during a stay in a hospital, contact the Philadelphia personal injury lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., at 215-238-1130.