Are you scheduled to undergo a routine medical procedure? If so, you aren’t alone. Hundreds of them take place each day all over Northeastern Ohio. In most cases, these procedures go according to plan. You end up going home with a repaired knee, a new hip, or even without the cataracts that you had removed. However, for every ten procedures that go well, there’s at least one that doesn’t. Those patients end up with additional injuries that they must overcome, or at the very worst, they end up losing their lives.
Did you know that you can protect yourself before these procedures take place? Here’s how you can keep from ending up as one of those patients with the worst possible outcome.
Medical History
Before your medical procedure is scheduled to take place, you need to go over your medical history with the physician or surgeon who will be performing it. This involves providing them with a detailed list of every medication that you take, including the dosage, how many times a day you take it, and how long you’ve been on it. You’ll also need to describe all of the other procedures that you’ve undergone. Disclosing your medical conditions is another necessity. If your doctor doesn’t want to go over these things, then that is a red flag. At that point, you should request another one or reschedule the procedure, if you can.
In addition to going over your medical history, some testing is also required. This involves checking routine things, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation. In many cases, some additional imaging might be required as well. You need to do all of these pre-procedure examinations in order to receive the best possible outcome. Some of them may expose the fact that the procedure that you’ve scheduled isn’t the right one for you. In that case, you won’t have to worry about becoming one of the many medical mistakes that take place each day.
Understand the Procedure
Once your medical history and all of the routine testing has been completed, it’s time for you to ask as many questions as necessary. Why? Because you need to understand the procedure and what it entails. The more that you know, the better off you’ll be. Also, pay attention to the way that your surgeon or physician answers your questions. If they are open and forthcoming, then they are clearly not trying to hide anything from you. However, if they are cagey or evasive, then you’ve run into another red flag. The best doctors are willing to answer questions and explain the procedure in detail. They care about their patients. The ones who are clearly hiding something might not be as invested in the procedure as you are. This is a bad thing!
Your Physician or Surgeon’s Track Record
Look up your medical expert’s track record before the procedure. You should be able to find records of malpractice lawsuits, schooling, and other things. The more that you know, the better you’ll be. However, you do need to keep in mind that one malpractice lawsuit doesn’t mean that the physician isn’t capable of doing the job. Everyone makes mistakes – theirs just happen to involve people’s health. If you see many malpractice lawsuits pop up, then it’s time to rethink having the procedure done. In addition, you could also request that a different doctor perform it. Use your best judgment in this situation.
Medical Professionals and Their Levels of Commitment
The medical professional treating you needs to be very committed to the work. How can you tell if they care about you as a patient? The answer lies in how they act when you’re speaking to them. Do they pay attention to what you’re saying? Do they answer your questions? Do they respond honestly? Or do they act as though you and your needs aren’t important? If they brush off your questions and act as though your thoughts on the procedure don’t matter, then you need to question their abilities and their commitment. This yet another red flag.
Potentials for Infection
Even if your medical professional is completely qualified and committed, something could still go wrong. There have been stories in the news about fungal infections appearing on hospital equipment. The potential for a dangerous infection after a medical procedure is very high, and some of these fungi and bacteria are resistant to medications, leaving you at risk. You need to be careful and ensure that every hospital worker that you come into contact with before and after your procedure follows the correct safety and cleanliness protocols. After all, your health is at risk.
Were You Injured By A Botched Medical Procedure?
If you were injured during a medical procedure, then you have some recourse. You shouldn’t have to suffer just because the surgeon or doctor didn’t quite know what they were doing, operated on the wrong side, or didn’t pay attention to your overall needs. Anything can go wrong while you’re on the operating table, and if you’re suffering needlessly as a result, then you need to contact me. I’ll Make Them Pay!®
