Healthcare Worker Fatigue And Medical Malpractice
Healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, are essential to Maryland communities. People in Baltimore rely on healthcare workers to provide them with critical care, often care that improves and saves lives. But these dedicated professionals are also human beings, and sometimes they suffer from fatigue due to long hours and demanding schedules, and when they are tired, the risk of medical errors increases.
When a medical mistake is connected to an overworked, exhausted medical staff, it is important to talk to a Baltimore personal injury lawyer about the possibility of an injury claim. You may be receiving more care, leading to additional expense, because of a healthcare error, and it’s important that you be compensated correctly in order to pay for the care you need.
Healthcare Worker Fatigue and Patient Safety
Just like every person is unique, with their own health concerns in need of review, every time a person is injured due to a fatigued healthcare worker the specifics of the situation needs to be analyzed. This is true, in part, because tired healthcare workers can be at risk of harming a patient in a variety of ways, including the following.
- Decreased cognitive abilities. Fatigue impairs cognitive function. Attention, concentration, and decision-making abilities are impacted when a person is sleep deprived. They may not be able to process information accurately or be unsure of data and not make critical decisions in a timely manner.
- Impaired judgment. Not being adequately rested can also impair judgment, leading to errors in diagnosis, treatment plans, medication dosages, or surgical procedures.
- Reduced communication skills. Some fatigued healthcare workers find it difficult to communicate effectively with patients, colleagues, and team members, and when healthcare information is not shared in a clear and accurate manner, the risk of medical errors elevates.
If there is evidence that a tired healthcare worker’s fatigue directly contributed to a medical error or substandard care, establishing a claim for medical malpractice could be possible.
Demonstrating Causation and Abiding by Time Limits
In order for a healthcare injury claim to be successful for the injured party, it is necessary to establish a direct link between the healthcare worker’s fatigue and the resulting harm to the patient. This requires gathering evidence, including medical records, expert opinions, and expert testimony, to demonstrate that fatigue was a significant contributing factor to the medical error or substandard care.
Additionally, there are statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice claim in Maryland. Generally, there is a three-year time limit from the date the injury was discovered, or reasonably should have been discovered. Consult with an experienced Baltimore personal injury lawyer to be sure your claim is taking place within the required timeframe.
Are you hoping to hold healthcare a group of professionals accountable for their actions? When seeking fair compensation, both so you can receive the support you need and to contribute to improving patient safety, talk to the legal team at Iamele & Iamele, LLP. An experienced Maryland injury lawyer can assess your case, gather necessary evidence, and advocate for your rights. Contact us to schedule a no-cost consultation.
