Medical Malpractice

Prematurely discharging patients is illegal, but common

Regardless of circumstances, a person who is suffering from a serious medical condition or injury should be able to visit an emergency department in a Washington hospital and expect to be examined and treated. In fact, according to The National Law Review, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act was designed to hold hospitals accountable...

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Proving medical malpractice in Washington

Washington residents who have suffered an injury or become sicker as the result of their health care provider’s negligence often sue their doctor and/or hospital for medical malpractice. Section 4.16.350 of the Revised Code of Washington says that such a suit must be brought within three years after the alleged negligent act occurred or within...

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Can #TheatreCapChallenge save lives in the U.S.?

When you undergo a procedure in a Washington hospital, you may not be able to tell which person in the room is your surgeon, which is an aide or nurse, and which person will be taking care of anesthesia. The scrubs, caps and masks hide everything but the eyes of these relatively unfamiliar people....

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Patient overdoses, anesthesiologist charged with murder

Because doctors are required to complete rigorous educational requirements and participate in extensive on-the-job training before commencing a career, many Washington people place a high level of trust in their health care provider. However, there are times when doctors are at risk of making critical errors, which can result from exhaustion, carelessness or lack...

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A closer look at the causes of falls in nursing homes

For many Washington families, the process of finding and selecting a nursing home for their elderly loved ones is not a decision taken lightly. Rather, many families spend significant time, thought and resources to find a perfect fit and a facility where their loved one will be treated compassionately with access to quality care....

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How are reported medication side effects handled?

When you get a prescription in Washington, you probably get an informational pamphlet or printout with it that explains the possible side effects, along with the proper use of the medication. The information on the side effects is something drafted by the medicine’s manufacturer and other agencies that monitor medications to ensure users know...

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Becoming familiar with deadly medical errors

For many Washington residents who are seeking medical care, the risks of their health care provider making a critical error is not the first thing that crosses their mind. However, medical mistakes are becoming increasingly common and are far more serious than many people realize. Seemingly minute missteps can have a profound effect on...

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Hospitals can reduce rates of health care-associated infection

People expect to check into a Washington hospital to receive treatment. They probably do not expect a lengthy stay due to an infection acquired while they were there. These hospital-acquired infections are a serious problem, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, statistics indicate that about one patient out of...

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Patient precautions may lower the risk of doctor errors

Mistakes are made in any profession, but when a person in Washington suffers a doctor error, the results can be devastating. It is not that far-fetched for people to think they may fall victim to medical malpractice. Forbes magazine reports that medical negligence is in the top three causes of death for Americans.  People often...

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Never event reporting may reduce facility incidents

Seeking medical care in Washington should result in an improved health condition. However, as The Joint Commission points out, it has been a long-acknowledged fact that sometimes, medical mistakes happen, and patients get worse instead of better. These adverse events are preventable, and should never happen. Over two decades ago, the organization developed a policy...

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