Most doctors are very good at what they do, but the medical industry is simply huge. There are tens of thousands of procedures carried out every single day. The number of doctors and nurses needed to sustain the system is incredibly large. For instance, there are over 4 million registered nurses in the United States.
As a result, there’s always the chance someone will make a mistake or act negligently in a way that constitutes medical malpractice. This is very common, to the point that it has been ranked as the third leading cause of death in the United States. The only issues that take more lives annually, according to the study, are heart disease and cancer.
What can you do to keep yourself safe?
One of the best things you can do to keep yourself safe is simply to get to know your doctor. This is why long-term relationships with primary care doctors are so valuable. Finding a doctor you trust, and who knows your medical history, can definitely help.
If you’re getting surgery or having another type of procedure carried out, you may have to work with a doctor you’ve never met. You may want to talk to the hospital about reviewing records to find out how often the doctor has done that procedure or if they’ve had any incidents in the past.
It’s also important to make sure that communication goes smoothly. For instance, you may be worried that your doctor won’t listen to you. This is a potential form of malpractice. Making a list of all the questions you want to ask can help to ensure that nothing is overlooked.
Unfortunately, even if you do everything in your power, malpractice can happen. If you’ve suffered harm due to a doctor’s mistakes, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation.