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When ER Mistakes Are Responsible For Failing To Detect Internal Bleeding

On Behalf of | Aug 22, 2015 | Medical Malpractice

Many people who enter emergency rooms (ER) have traumatic injuries and serious medical conditions that warrant emergency surgeries. While most surgeries are beneficial and save people’s lives, there are some surgeries that don’t go as planned and cause the patient further harm. This often happens when medical mistakes result in internal bleeding (also known as internal hemorrhaging).

Internal bleeding can occur within one’s organs, tissues, or in a body cavity such as the abdomen, and it may be caused by many medical errors, such as:

  • Overlooked internal bleeding. When a patient enters the ER after suffering trauma during an accident, there may be multiple injuries a patient is being treated for. Internal bleeding after an accident may be overlooked due to other visible injuries that captured the attention of the surgeon.
  • Missed medications. Some patients take blood thinners or other medications for their health conditions that can lead to hemorrhaging during surgery if a doctor fails to find out what medication a patient is taking prior to an operation. This is why it is critical that emergency room staff verify all patients’ medications before surgery.
  • Surgical errors. Sometimes surgeons can make a slip of the hand or accidentally cut an organ or artery near the surgical site that can cause internal bleeding. Although these types of surgical errors are often caught and repaired, sometimes bleeding may go unnoticed and a surgeon may sew a patient back up.
  • Anesthesiologist errors. During surgery, an anesthesiologist may push a needle too far and perforate an artery. If this error isn’t noticed in a timely manner, a patient may bleed to death.

Internal bleeding can occur throughout the body and it can cause a variety of symptoms. Some people have no initial complaints, as the symptoms of internal bleeding arise gradually. Thus, many people get discharged from the hospital following surgery even though they may be hemorrhaging on the inside. And yet others may be suffering from a significant loss of blood and suffer dramatic signs of internal bleeding such as shock.

Sadly, hemorrhaging can lead to serious infections, organ failure, permanent damage, and even death. If you or a loved one was harmed as a result of a surgical error or any type of medical negligence, please contact our law firm today for a free consultation.

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