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When being treated at a hospital, we’d like to think that medical professionals are providing the best treatment possible, but hospital-acquired infections remain a serious health risk to patients. Over 119,000 people suffered from bloodstream staph infections in the United States in 2017 and nearly 20,000 died, said a report from the U.S. Centers for...

It’s not unusual to receive anesthesia for a medical procedure. Patients may receive local anesthesia for minor surgery. They remain alert. In surgeries that are more complicated, patients may be given general anesthesia and become unconscious. If administered properly, anesthesia does the critically important job of removing the natural response to pain. Sometimes, anesthesiologists make...

Are you aware of the information documented on your medical records? If not, now is the time to find out. Not only is viewing your record beneficial for monitoring your health, but some of the information contained also may not be as accurate as you think. According to the Office of the National Coordinator of...

The case of Gary Matsumura is a cautionary example of a cancer misdiagnosis. Matsumura, an OB/GYN physician, had tests done in November 2017 as part of his follow-up to a bout of lung cancer. Matsumura was devastated when the tests found multiple lesions on both lungs – his original cancer was confined to his left lung...

When a doctor is forced to surrender his or her medical license, it often comes on the heels of serious allegations. This can include unprofessional conduct, surgical errors, improper opioid prescriptions, and sexual misconduct with patients.  Surrendering medical licenses can relieve doctors of further legal complications and social stigma. It may also keep the allegations...

The last nickname you want to be associated with your surgeon is “Dr. Death.” But that was the title of a popular podcast on the career of Dallas neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch, which illustrates the dangers people face every day in hospitals across the country.  Placing Trust In A Surgeon Between 2010 and 2013, Duntsch performed surgery in a...

The Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, recently published a study of Veterans Affairs surgeons with the intent of tracking and improving communication between surgeons and patients.   The issue at hand was the question of how well surgeons inform patients after something goes wrong with a procedure. The results show...

Physicians are a trusted class within our society. They are tasked with putting patient needs and concerns first, while caring for individuals and avoiding harm. When this trust is broken, it can be devastating both physically and mentally. When doctors attempt to hide errors or wrongdoing, they can perpetually put the lives of patients at...

Doctors and other medical staff are highly trained professionals who generally seek to provide the best possible care. They are also human. Sometimes, they make mistakes. This includes failing to properly communicate important information to other medical staff. The stakes are high in healthcare. And while there are many things medical professionals and hospitals can...

In 1997, the National Patient Safety Foundation published a study on the frequency of medical errors that impacted patient care. This study has stood for 20 years, until researchers at the University of Chicago sought to update it. From May 12 to June 26, 2017, the researchers surveyed over 2,500 American adults to understand the...