A report from Fox News indicates that surgical deaths could be cut in half with checklists. Researchers recently reported that if hospitals used exhaustive checklists, many surgical errors would be prevented. There has been ongoing evidence that suggests checklists are a way to increase patient safety. It was also found that they could reduce complications by one-third. Dr. John Birkmeyer from the University of Michigan indicated that the use of checklists could prevent tens of thousands of surgical deaths and hundreds of thousands of complications each year in the United States alone. These results come after a study of 11 hospitals in the Netherlands. Of those 11 hospitals, 6 used a checklist when a patient underwent surgery. The death rate at those 6 hospitals dropped from 1.5% to 0.8% and complications fell by 31%. The rates did not change at the other 5 hospitals in the controlled study. In addition, it was found that when the checklist was thoroughly and strictly followed, deaths and complications were at the lowest rates. The World Health Organization developed a checklist for surgery in May 2010 and it has been shown to reduce complications by 36%. Most surgical errors occur before or after the operation, according to researchers. Therefore, the use of a checklist in prepping for a surgery and post-surgery can greatly improve patient safety. Surgical errors are not uncommon. If your loved one has died after undergoing surgery, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Contact a New York wrongful death lawyer today to find out if you have a strong case.
Contacting a New York Wrongful Death Lawyer
When you have lost a loved one because of a surgical error you are entitled to seek compensation for your damages and suffering. Consulting with a New York wrongful death lawyer can help you better understand your rights, determine liability and decide if filing a wrongful death claim is right for you. At Gacovino Lake & Associates we have formed a dedicated network of personal injury lawyers that serve clients nationwide. Our New York office serves residents of the 5 boroughs with their auto accident, medical malpractice, defective drug, premises liability and Workers’ Compensation claims. For experienced help with your wrongful death claim, contact us today – 1-800-246-4878.
