Medical malpractice for anesthesia mistakes?

Patients undergo numerous procedures at North Carolina medical care facilities where they receive anesthesia. Examples include extensive dental work, colonoscopies at outpatient centers, and operations at hospitals. If something goes wrong with the anesthesia, it could be medical malpractice.

Are doctors too quick to use general anesthesia?

Twilight sleep is an alternative that does not render the patient unconscious. In some cases, examples include dental care and colonoscopies, it is an acceptable alternative to general anesthesia. However, you most likely saw the advertisements that promise to have you fully asleep while the procedure goes on, even if it is minor.

Anesthesia mistakes can have lasting effects

In some cases, medical malpractice cases can involve hospital errors at the time of the anesthesia. For example, the hospital and its staff could fail to meet the standard of care that then leads to a patient’s brain damage or the subsequent development of pneumonia.

Anesthesiologists also make mistakes. They might calculate the dosage needed incorrectly, which gives the patient an overdose of the drugs. This is a problem that could result in death. Even if the outcome is not as severe, there is still the risk of nerve damage, infection, or adverse reactions to the drugs.

Complications during anesthesia go beyond physical problems

In some cases, anesthesia mistakes can lead to trauma. Maybe you woke up too early or were conscious but unable to move. The aftermath of this horrific event results in mental health challenges that could last a lifetime.

No matter what went wrong with your anesthesia, you may have rights that you need to protect. Talking with an attorney could be the first step to doing so.