A surgery free of errors is only one part of the path to a good result. Postoperative care, or the care that comes after the surgery, is just as important as the surgery itself. Because complications may arise from any type of surgical procedure, regular assessment and monitoring of the patient is critical to postoperative care. While pain management may be the most common concern for a patient, the medical staff must vigilantly monitor multiple aspects of the patient’s condition, including vital signs, intravenous (IV) fluids, and output of urine and gastrointestinal fluids, as well as adhere to medication schedules.
Postoperative complications can be life threatening for several different reasons. After a surgery, the body’s immune system is weakened, allowing bacteria and viruses to more easily attack the body. With a fragile immune system, a patient is more susceptible to a variety of infections. For example, a patient who has undergone a major surgery may be bedridden for several days or weeks, and may be at risk of pressure sores (also known as bedsores), resulting in infection and eventual skin necrosis (death of skin tissue) due to prolonged immobility.
Other problems that may occur during postoperative care include:
- Falling down – the patient may be weak and/or disoriented following a surgery and must be monitored to ensure no falls from the hospital bed occur, which can cause further injuries and complications.
- Hypoxia – where the body is deprived of an adequate supply of oxygen, which can result in brain damage or death.
- Hemorrhaging – bleeding may occur after the surgical procedure, and can be due to multiple factors, including issues with blood clotting. The bleeding can occur immediately after the surgery, but does not always.
- Blood clots – if undetected, a blood clot can lead topulmonary embolism, which occurs when an artery to the lung becomes blocked, usually from a blood clot that has traveled from another part of the body. Several blood clots or a single large clot can even result in death.
A doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider may be liable for malpractice stemming from a postoperative care error because of:
- A failure to recognize a decline in the patient’s medical condition (i.e. failure to adequately monitor)
- A delay in treatment or assessment
- A failure to timely refer a patient to a specialist if a unique problem requiring attention is discovered
Unfortunately, surgery may be only half the battle for some patients. Postoperative care, the management of the patient after surgery, can also be a time where the patient is vulnerable to complications. Even with a successful surgery, mistakes made by a healthcare provider during postoperative care can still greatly harm or cause the death of a patient. If you or a loved one has been harmed due to negligent postoperative care, the lawyers at Pita Weber Del Prado have both the expertise and tenacity required to get the justice you deserve. Contact us today in our Miami office at 305-670-2889 for a free consultation to discuss your options.
