Anesthesia Errors During Surgery May Constitute Malpractice
When a person undergoes a surgical procedure, there is always risk, not simply from the surgery, but also from the administered anesthesia. An anesthesiologist is responsible for more than administering anesthesia in the operating room. They are responsible for maintaining precise levels of consciousness throughout the surgery, as well as monitoring and supporting the patient’s cardiopulmonary function.
Common causes of anesthesia error during surgeries include:
- Overdose or underdose of anesthesia
- Delayed delivery of anesthesia
- Failure to avoid an allergic reaction if it could have reasonably been prevented
- Drug interactions complications
- Failure to properly administer oxygen during surgery
- Failure to properly monitor the patient
- Use of defective medical equipment during sedation
Common medical malpractice injuries due to anesthesia error can include:
- Asphyxia
- Anesthesia awareness
- Birth defects
- Brain aneurism
- Brain damage
- Cardiovascular Injury
- Coma
- Death
- Heart attack
- Loss of bodily function
- Memory loss
- Spinal cord injury which can lead to paralysis
- Stroke
