Maintaining accurate patient records can be an integral component of protecting patient interests and mitigating a variety of potential health risks. Unfortunately, things might not always go as planned and should inadequate recordkeeping methods prompt issues with patient misidentification, the results may prove dire. Individuals in Illinois who encounter similar forms of medical negligence could be at risk of suffering severe or permanent harm in the process.
Patient misidentification
Patient misidentification is an issue that could prompt various types of risks. Such negligence could cause hospital staff members to administer the wrong types of treatments to patients or provide care to a patient that was intended for another party. Improper paths of care could lead to a variety of health risks that may do little to treat a condition or could place the well-being of a patient in jeopardy.
Similar concerns can also impact the results of the diagnostic process and may cause patients to go without the necessary care for extended periods. Issues with misidentification can also increase the risks of medication errors and improper types and dosages of medication can be hazardous to one’s health. Similar issues can also lead to a greater risk of surgical errors such as wrong-site or even wrong-patient operations.
Severe injuries
Patient misidentification is a type of medical negligence that could pose a significant threat to a person’s health and well-being. Those who suffer severe or permanent harm due to such negligence and have questions about the next steps to take to seek restitution accordingly could choose to consult with an attorney for advice in addressing their options. An attorney in Illinois can examine a client’s injuries and financial needs and help create a strategy with which to seek the full amount of compensation deserved via a claim against the parties deemed responsible.