Can Disgruntled Doctors Cause Patients Deaths?

Effective communication is essential in all collaborative enterprises, whether it is law, business, sports, or medicine. Specifically, in the field of medicine, the ability of people who work together to treat patients to effectively convey their thoughts to one another can directly impact patient health, and may mean the difference between life and death for certain patients. When open lines of communication do not exist or break down, it is possible that essential information does not reach the correct parties, which in a medical setting could lead to disastrous consequences.

Imagine, for instance, if a patient told a nurse they were allergic to a common antibiotic and the nurse failed to convey this information to a physician. When these kinds of errors occur and cause injury, the injured person or their family may be able to recover through an Indiana medical malpractice or Fort Wayne wrongful death lawsuit. Anyone who believes that they may have suffered an injury due to medical malpractice should contact an experienced Indianapolis medical malpractice attorney for a free case evaluation

The Joint Commission, a not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs, defines a “sentinel event” as an unexpected event that involves death or serious physical or psychological injury, or a risk of these injuries. According to data published by the organization, communication played a role in nearly two-thirds of sentinel events in the period from 2010 to 2012. The Journal of American Academy of Physician Assistants (JAAPA) points to a culture of disrespectful treatment by physicians towards other hospital staff as a significant factor that can cause poor communication in hospital settings.

In a publication by JAAPA, one author calls attention to the traditional model of medical education where attending physicians or other professionals pose questions to dependent team members in an attempt to engage in Socratic training methods. The article argues that this system preserves a power discrepancy between members of the medical staff which ultimately stifles open lines of communication. This type of instruction, the paper argues, actually creates a culture of fear of being shamed for not knowing the right answer, leading some to not voice opinions for fear of verbal retribution. As a result, essential information may not be passed from person to person or mistakes made by more senior staff may not be questioned.

Correct and up to date information is of the utmost importance in ensuring that patients receive the appropriate treatment, and open lines of communication are essential to achieving this goal. When medical staff do not receive the appropriate information, they may be liable for professional negligence. Indiana medical malpractice law allows people who are the victims of medical negligence to recover damages for pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of quality of life, and medical expenses, among others. If you believe that you have been the victim of medical negligence you should consult with an experienced Indianapolis personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to determine if and against whom you have a claim.