The Missouri State Medical Association (MSMA) reported that doctors perform nearly 100 million surgeries every year. Specific surgeries treat or correct many different ongoing health issues. Surgery is not always the first option for treating health conditions. More often, physicians opt to treat patients with as many nonsurgical treatment options as possible before deciding to operate.
When non-surgical treatments do not fix the issue at hand, doctors often see surgery as a good and practical medical treatment option. Most of the 100 million surgeries mentioned above do not require overnight hospital stays and do not significantly impact health.
However, the risks for surgery vary for everyone—from pre-existing health conditions to other medical emergencies that arise during or after the procedure. If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to malpractice involving pre-operative protocols, a Los Angeles height, weight, and overall pre-operative health lawyer could help you pursue compensation for your expenses. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 970-4884 for a free case review with a team member.
About Pre-Operative Health Evaluations
When a doctor refers their patient for surgery, hospital or ambulatory care facility staff might assume that the patient’s treating physician has already performed a general health evaluation. However, doctors might find proper pre-operative health evaluations challenging to discern because of the many different surgeries and their associated health risks.
In general, the MSMA says that pre-operative care for people who will need anesthesia during surgery should begin at least 24 hours before operating, including checking the patient’s height and weight to receive the proper dose. Such limits on pre-operative care can add to the risk of complications during surgery for people naturally more at risk for them. Of course, the types of complications and specific risks vary from person to person, which is why patients and physicians should prioritize pre-operative care.
Before surgery, doctors will evaluate the patient’s current health and risks for complications. To cut down on medical costs and resources, they could choose to forego any preventative health checks they deem unnecessary, such as X-rays.
Pre-Operative Issues That Need Intervention
Exams before surgery address both general health problems and more complex issues with the body. If the patient has a health issue unrelated to the surgery that could increase the risk of complications, doctors may recommend specific treatment or lifestyle changes.
Common issues that doctors could control before surgery include:
- Blood pressure: High blood pressure needs management before a patient can undergo surgery.
- Diabetes: Medication like insulin dosage may need additional management before surgery.
- Nutrition and exercise: Important considerations regarding blood flow, energy, and healing time can impact the outcome of the surgery.
- Smoking: Heavy, long-term smoking can pose a serious threat to blood flow and increase the risks of other complications before surgery.
- Anemia: A physician will determine if a patient with anemia requires special consideration for needs like blood transfusions.
- Infections: Any untreated infections pose the risk of spreading and creating complications before, during, and after surgery.
- Cardiac risk factors: Concerning issues include a history of stroke, valvular disease, or chest pains.
- Pulmonary risk factors: Serious issues in the lungs include pulmonary disease, a need for oxygen therapy, sleep apnea, or a history of heavy smoking.
- Renal risk factors: Patients with renal disease, kidney damage, and blood clotting will need special care before and after surgery.
- Cognitive risks: Doctors need to determine the safety risks of patients with dementia and other cognitive impairments.
- Pain management: Doctors often concern themselves with this issue after surgery, but they should have a plan in place before carrying out a surgery that involves significant post-operative pain.
If the patient has any of these conditions before undergoing surgery, a doctor might intervene and delay the surgery. This list of health conditions is only a fraction of what doctors need to consider before a patient in their care goes through surgery. UCLA Health recommends conducting a risk evaluation prior to any surgical procedure.
Patients may have to sign paperwork before undergoing surgery to uphold their pre-operative care plans. In some cases, this may not happen until 24 hours before surgery.
For a free legal consultation with a Height, Weight, and Overall Pre-Operative Health Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 970-4884
Informed Consent Before High-Risk Surgeries
When your physician recommends surgery, they should fully inform patients of the risks and complications. Generally, high-risk surgeries could require multiple hospital stays, especially those that deal with major organs like the colon, kidney, heart, lungs, and liver. Other high-risk surgeries commonly involve the replacement of the shoulder, knee, or hip joints.
Ultimately, patients should trust doctors to carefully consider their health before undergoing anesthesia, surgery, and post-surgical care. When medical professionals fail to inform and prepare patients for surgery, and their patient suffers post-operative injuries, it could indicate medical malpractice. A Los Angeles height, weight, and overall pre-operative health lawyer can evaluate your case and determine if you have grounds to pursue legal action. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to speak with a team member.
Los Angeles Height, Weight, and Overall Pre-Operative Health Lawyer Near Me (800) 970-4884
Taking Legal Action for Medical Malpractice
CCP § 364 outlines the requirements for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Due to the complicated requirements of formally filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, victims often feel discouraged from seeking legal help. Working with a medical malpractice lawyer can fully ease the burden of the entire litigation process—from filing documents and gathering evidence to defending your rights and negotiating a settlement that fully covers your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
In California, CCP § 340.5 sets the time limit to pursue a medical malpractice case at three years from the date of injury or one year after you discover your injuries, whichever comes first. You might want to seek help as soon as possible from a Los Angeles height, weight, and overall pre-operative health lawyer if you or a loved one recently had a surgical experience that included any of the following issues:
- Lack of information given to patients before and after surgery.
- Lack of pre-operative care instructions or evaluations.
- Lack of care for known health conditions before surgery.
- Leaving behind a medical instrument.
- Injury or death of a loved one.
A medical malpractice lawyer cannot undo the damage caused by a negligent health care professional, but they can help victims seek justice and compensation for their losses. Consult with a team member at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to discuss your case and review your legal options. Call us today at (800) 970-4884.
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