A study found that families may be a source for improving hospital safety and avoiding mistakes, as parents often catch errors that doctors miss. The study involved two pediatric units at a hospital in Boston. Analysis of safety incidents found that approximately one in ten parents found mistakes that physicians did not.
The lead study author, Dr. Alisa Khan, a pediatrics researcher at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, noted “Parents may notice different things than healthcare providers do, and thereby provide complementary information that can only help make care safer.” The data on 383 children hospitalized in 2013 and 2014 was analyzed; the study involved the parents completing written surveys detailing any safety incidents their children experienced during their admissions. Overall, 34 parents (8.9%) reported 37 safety incidents. Dr. Khan went on to say, “As anyone who has ever been hospitalized knows, hospitals are very complex places where there are a lot of moving parts, and errors are bound to happen despite all of our best efforts. I think we – including parents – can all work together to keep children safe.”
When someone is injured or dies due to a health care provider’s negligence, financial recovery may be available. Such recovery is particularly important when permanent, life changing injuries are incurred. It is important to contact someone who understands the intricacies of the party’s right to recover.
Medical malpractice is a difficult area of law as it requires an understanding of both the legal practice and the mechanics of medicine. Abraham Watkins offers a free consultation to anyone wishing to pursue such claims.