Causes of Emergency Room Errors
Emergency room errors can have prolonged health consequences for patients. When ER errors lead to harm, our attorneys will investigate the root cause to build a strong case. We look into medical records, consult with experts, and assess whether staff adhered to standard protocols. We may also analyze systemic issues to identify any lapses that could have led to the injury.
The medical malpractice team at Beausay & Nichols Law Firm knows that most emergency room errors are often caused by a combination of systemic issues and individual mistakes. Some of the causes of emergency room errors include the following.
Improper Protocols and Procedures
Failure to observe established medical protocols often results in preventable errors. For instance, skipping sterilization procedures can lead to infections, and neglecting safety checklists may cause surgical tools to be mishandled. Improper procedures can also arise from outdated training or a lack of enforcement of hospital standards.
Inadequate Staffing
Emergency rooms frequently face shortages of trained personnel, leaving doctors and nurses overburdened. When staff are forced to handle too many patients at once, they are more likely to make errors. Also, fatigue from long shifts and inadequate rest can compromise the quality of care.
Overcrowding
Overcrowding is a persistent issue in ERs, especially in urban or underserved areas. The CDC reports that 139.8 million people visit emergency rooms every year. Given the many patients arriving simultaneously, resources such as beds become stretched thin. Sadly, this overcrowding often forces medical professionals to rush through evaluations or discharge patients quickly, increasing the likelihood of missed symptoms, incomplete diagnoses, or improper prioritization of critical cases.
Extreme Wait Times
Long waits for treatment can worsen a patient’s condition, particularly for those experiencing time-sensitive medical emergencies like strokes or heart attacks. Extended delays may also cause stress for medical staff, who might feel pressured to cut corners in patient care to reduce wait times. In severe cases, patients may even leave before being seen, missing the opportunity for critical diagnosis and treatment.
Improper Testing or Failing to Test
Diagnostic errors frequently occur when proper tests are not ordered or conducted incorrectly. For example, skipping a CT scan for a head injury could result in a missed diagnosis of a brain hemorrhage. Testing failures often stem from miscommunication, financial constraints, or an underestimation of a patient's symptoms, leaving critical conditions undetected.
Receiving the Wrong Medication
Medication errors are among the most common and preventable mistakes in ERs. These errors can include administering the wrong drug, incorrect dosages, or overlooking potential allergies. Miscommunication between staff, illegible handwriting, or rushed documentation often contribute to these life-threatening mistakes.
Referring the Patient to the Incorrect Specialist
Timely and accurate referrals are critical for specialized care, but errors in this process can delay proper treatment. For example, sending a patient with cardiac symptoms to a general practitioner instead of a cardiologist can waste valuable time. Such mistakes often occur due to misinterpretation of patient data or poor understanding of referral networks within the hospital.
Improper Communication Between the Medical Staff
Effective communication is essential in the high-pressure environment of an ER, yet breakdowns in this area are common. Key patient information, like test results, may be miscommunicated during shift changes or team discussions. These lapses can result in improper treatment plans, delayed care, or overlooked symptoms.
Not Recognizing the Proper Symptoms
Failure to recognize key symptoms can result in a misdiagnosis or a delayed diagnosis, both of which are potentially life-threatening. For instance, symptoms of a heart attack may be mistaken for indigestion, or signs of a stroke might go unnoticed in younger patients. Such errors are often caused by insufficient training, cognitive biases, or the sheer volume of cases in a busy ER setting.
