When a patient undergoes a surgical procedure, anesthesiologists will often place the patient in an unconscious or semi-conscious state through a general anesthetic.
Anesthesiologists have the responsibility to keep a patient sedated for the duration of the procedure and to manage vital signs and oxygenation. Often, they will also be responsible for patient care immediately after surgery to prevent any potential anesthesia complications.
Typically, it is only after a patient dies or a serious problem is identified following surgery that a patient or families learn about anesthesia mistakes. Since most anesthesiologists only briefly meet the patient or family before the surgery begins, there is little opportunity to check the credentials or background of their anesthesiologist. Seldom are patients aware of the role and obligations of the anesthesiologist both during surgery and during post-operative recovery.
Some common anesthesia mistakes resulting from medical negligence or malpractice include:
- Failure to Correctly Intubate, or Injuries Caused During Intubation – Anesthesiologists will often intubate a patient during surgery in order to help them breathe safely. When an anesthesiologist makes an error during intubation or fails to maintain a proper airway, serious injury can result.
- Failure to Monitor – Anesthesiologists are responsible for regulating a patient’s level of consciousness and oxygenation during the procedure, among other vital responsibilities. Failure to fulfill these essential duties can lead to serious brain injury and/or death.
- Communication Errors Before, During, or After the Procedure – Anesthesiologists are required to keep those performing surgery informed of the patient’s condition, including their vital signs. Failure to properly communicate can lead to serious complications or injury.
- Anesthesia Dosage Errors – A dosage error can occur if an anesthesiologist gives too much or too little anesthesia. Too much anesthesia can result in dangerously prolonged sedation leading to coma or brain injury, and too little can result in pain and discomfort. Not administering enough anesthesia can cause a condition known as anesthesia awareness, where the patient wakes up during the course of surgery. This can lead to a horrifying experience where the patient, often paralyzed and unable to speak, is aware of what is happening and experiences the extreme pain of surgery. According to a study in Anesthesia & Analgesia, nearly one-half of patients who experienced anesthesia awareness heard conversations in the operating room, half felt as though they could not breathe, and 28% felt the actual pain of surgery. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations states that 21,000 to 42,000 Americans experience anesthesia awareness each year.
The damage caused by an anesthesia mistake will depend on the type of error made and the subsequent medical response.
The most common injuries caused by anesthesia errors include:
- Tracheal damage or injury to surrounding areas caused by intubation errors
- Asphyxia or lack of adequate oxygen supply
- Cardiovascular injury, which may include heart attack or stroke
- Birth defects
- Loss of bodily function
- Brain damage, including traumatic brain injury or TBI
- Spinal cord injury, which often leads to paralysis or loss of feeling and function in the body
- Coma
- Death
If you or a loved one was injured due to an anesthesia/sedation mistake, contact our New York medical malpractice lawyers for a FREE case evaluation today. Our lawyers have secured millions in compensation for medical malpractice injury victims.