Rhode Island Anesthesia Error Attorneys

Anesthesiologist Errors & Negligent Perioperative Care

Anesthesiologists are specially educated and trained in administering local or general anesthesia and have the incredibly important responsibility of monitoring a patient and controlling anesthetics during operations. If they deviate from providing standard care in any way, this may have serious or even fatal results.

Proving Anesthesia Malpractice Takes an Experienced Team

Anesthesia injuries may not always be immediately apparent. It takes a complete investigation and review of medical records to determine what went wrong and whether malpractice was involved. These are complex issues, further complicated by the fact that the patient was likely under anesthesia and unconscious at the time that the mistake was made.

Decof, Barry, Mega & Quinn, P.C. has considerable experience negotiating and litigating anesthesia malpractice cases in Rhode Island. ​​​​​​ Our lawyers have the expertise and resources it takes to understand, analyze, and build compelling cases involving anesthesia errors.

We have experience in anesthesia malpractice cases involving:

• Overdose of anesthetics
• Insufficient anesthetics
• Patient wakes up during a procedure
• Failure to properly monitor a patient’s vital signs
• Asphyxia during anesthesia
• Paralysis from spinal anesthesia (epidural or spinal tap)
• Stroke, coma, and brain damage
• Wrongful death

If you or a loved one has suffered as the result of anesthesia malpractice, call (401) 200-4059 for a free, confidential consultation.

Understanding the Dangers of Anesthesia Errors

An anesthesia error refers to a mistake or failure that occurs during the administration of anesthesia, which is used to induce a temporary loss of sensation or consciousness during medical procedures. Anesthesia errors can have serious consequences, ranging from minor complications to life-threatening situations. These errors can occur due to various factors, including human error, equipment malfunction, inadequate training, or miscommunication among healthcare providers.

Here are some common types of anesthesia errors:

• Dosage Errors: Administering too much or too little anesthesia can lead to complications. Overdosing can result in respiratory depression, cardiac arrest, or even death, while underdosing may lead to inadequate pain relief or awareness during surgery.
• Medication Errors: Mistakes in the selection, preparation, or administration of anesthesia medications can occur. This may include giving the wrong medication, incorrect dosages, or improper mixing of drugs.
• Equipment Malfunction: Anesthesia machines and monitoring devices need to be properly maintained and calibrated. Malfunctions or errors in equipment can lead to inaccurate delivery of anesthesia or failure to monitor vital signs effectively.
• Delayed Anesthesia: Administering anesthesia too late or too early in the surgical process can result in patient discomfort, increased risk of complications, or prolonged recovery times.
• Failure to Monitor: Inadequate monitoring of the patient's vital signs during anesthesia administration can lead to undetected complications such as hypoxia (low oxygen levels), hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide levels), or cardiovascular instability.
• Allergic Reactions: Some patients may have allergies or adverse reactions to specific anesthesia medications. Failure to identify these allergies or sensitivities can result in serious complications during surgery.
• Inadequate Preoperative Assessment: Failing to obtain a comprehensive medical history or perform a thorough preoperative evaluation can increase the risk of anesthesia-related complications, especially in patients with underlying health conditions or risk factors.
• Communication Errors: Miscommunication among healthcare providers, such as incomplete handovers or unclear instructions, can lead to errors in anesthesia administration or monitoring.
• Inadequate Training or Supervision: Lack of proper training or supervision of anesthesia providers can contribute to errors in technique, medication administration, or decision-making.
• Patient Factors: Individual patient characteristics, such as obesity, age, or underlying medical conditions, can affect how they respond to anesthesia. Failing to account for these factors during anesthesia planning and administration can increase the risk of complications.

The anesthesiologist is one of the most important people involved in a surgical procedure. Anesthesia must be administered precisely and the patient carefully monitored to ensure positive results. While some adverse reactions to anesthetics cannot be predicted, there are others that could have been prevented if the anesthesiologist had provided proper care.

For a review of your medical malpractice case by a seasoned legal professional who has the insight to make an accurate assessment, call (401) 200-4059.