New Study Points Out Major Causes Of Medical Errors In Indiana

November 21, 2012

An Indiana Department of Health study shows the leading causes of medical mistakes and errors in the state. According to the Indianapolis Star, bedsores and surgeries on the wrong body parts were at the top of the list.

The study examined 100 cases from nearly 300 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and clinics. Researchers found that bedsores or botched surgeries caused half of all the incidents that were being examined. Other mistakes that were examined included falls, medication errors, and in some cases, criminal behavior.

Indianapolis Hospitals tended to have the highest rates of incidence, with Indiana University Health’s three downtown locations seeing a majority of the mistakes, accounting for half of all serious incidences reported statewide last year.

Bedsores were the most common problem seen in medical facilities last year, with a total of 41 cases being reported to health officials. Surgery on the wrong body part was a far second with more than 20 cases. Seventeen patients reportedly had objects left in their bodies following surgery, while 12 falls were recorded.

The Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin say that mistakes like these may lead to injured patients needing to file an Indiana Medical Malpractice claim to cover medical expenses that stem from a doctor’s mistake. That is why the firm is here to answer any questions you may have if you have been caused harm while under the care of a physician.