Taking steps to help reduce the chance of surgical errors

Preparing to undergo a medical procedure can be a stressful process, and even a minor operation could carry a certain level of risk. While you might rely on your surgical team to provide a certain standard of care, it might not always be in your best interests to simply leave everything in their hands.

There could be a multitude of scenarios in which your surgical team could make mistakes during some part of your procedure. Knowing some steps, you can take to help reduce the risks of surgical errors may prove essential to protecting your well-being, as any type of surgical error can carry dire repercussions.

Mitigating risks

Taking a proactive approach to your operation could be more favorable than simply sitting by and relying on others to take care of everything when mitigating the risks of surgical errors. Some examples of steps you can take to help reduce the risk of errors might include:

• Check information: Being thorough when reviewing your information prior to undergoing surgery may prove essential to ensuring the details on your chart are accurate and that you understand and consent to the procedure.
• Surgical site: Wrong-site surgery continues to be a common type of surgical error. Taking steps to ensure pre-operation markings are correct and talking with staff about the site may help stave off similar issues.
• Asking questions: It may also be beneficial to ask thorough questions about what to expect from the process and the possible risks, as this could help reduce the risk of confusion.
• Post-operative care: Notifying health care professionals about any issues you experience during post-operative care and asking questions about your prescription medications may also be vital to protecting your well-being.

It could also be helpful to ensure that your Delaware surgical team carefully reviews your medical history, as a lack of information on important medical details could also increase the risk of mistakes.

When errors occur

Unfortunately, there may only be so much you can do to protect against the trials of surgical errors, and when the negligence of others leads to mistakes during an operation, the results could be devastating. Even a minor surgical error could lead to severe health complications that could cause you to suffer permanent damage and expose you to additional health concerns. Such issues could also prompt a need to undergo future medical procedures to treat your condition, and the financial ramifications may significantly strain your life.