Anesthesia Errors and Injuries (Part A)

Facing surgery is difficult enough without worrying that there will be added complications. Although going under anesthesia is a common aspect of surgery, it carries serious risks that can add to patient anxiety. While you may never have to cope with the effects of an anesthesia error, the risk remains for anyone who undergoes a medical procedure that requires sedation. If you have been affected by an anesthesia error, a medical malpractice lawyer can talk to you about your options for legal recourse.  

Overview of Anesthesia Errors 

Anesthesia allows individuals to undergo surgeries that range from minor outpatient procedures to emergency life-saving operations. Though anesthesia is a very common part of surgery, it is considered one of the more risky aspects of undergoing treatment. Anesthesia is not something that can simply be handled by all medical personnel; anesthesia is a specialty area and requires a skilled and professional anesthesiologist to administer it. 

If an anesthesiologist commits an anesthesia error it can lead to further injuries such as: 

• Intense pain;
• Irreversible damage;
• Emotional distress; and/or
• Death 

Anesthesiologists have a vital role to play in avoiding anesthesia mistakes. They are not only responsible for administering the anesthetizing drug but they must also monitor the patient while they are undergoing surgery. It is an anesthesiologist’s responsibility to keep a patient at a safe level of unconsciousness. 

If an anesthesiologist fails to do any of these things it can result in an anesthesia error that leads to devastating consequences. 

Common Anesthesia Errors 

While we would like to think that it rarely happens, anesthesia errors occur more frequently than most people realize. Some of the more common anesthesia errors include: 

• Too little anesthesia administered (patient could potentially feel the surgery being performed);
• Too much anesthesia is administered (patient could have difficulty waking up);
• Failing to instruct patient on pre-surgery preparation (such as not drinking or eating);
• Anesthesia interacting with another drug the patient is taking;
• Patient is allergic to anesthesia;
• The administering of anesthesia is delayed;
• Medical devices used during sedation are defective;
• Patient is not properly monitored;
• Oxygen is not properly administered to patient while undergoing surgery; and
• Product labeling is incorrect or inadequate.  

Continue to Next Page >>