CNN had an interesting story last week on something known as the “July Effect”, which is an increase in medical malpractice claims associated with an influx of new interns and residents working at hospitals in the summer.
According to the news outlet, a 2011 study published by the Journal of General Internal Medicine reported a 10 percent increase in teaching hospital deaths during the month of July due to medical errors.
Anthony Youn, M.D., a plastic surgeon in Metro Detroit, wrote the story by CNN. He described the situation as one where medical students graduate in June and begin their first year of residency in July.
“This group of eager new interns invades the hospital to learn, care for patients, and make medical decisions,” Dr. Youn wrote. “One problem. They don’t know what they’re doing.”
Dr. Youn then goes into a story about how during his first night of interning after medical school, he was walking down the hallway of the hospital when someone suffered a cardiovascular emergency.
A nurse requested Youn’s help and he obliged, not knowing much about what was going on. To finish his story, the doctor talks about how he almost shocked a patient’s liver instead of their heart, as he was about to lineup electric shock paddles on the wrong part of the patient’s body.
“Everyone – even doctors, especially doctors – have to learn and train in order to become proficient. Interns start out as rookies, not seasoned veterans. Experience takes time,” Youn wrote. “So if you have to go to a hospital in July, treat the new interns with patience and respect.”
HOW DO I FILE A MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWSUIT?
Medical professionals have a duty to protect their patients, regardless of their experience level. While we understand that a resident or intern may need seasoning to become a better professional, your health should not have to suffer because of negligence.
Medical providers should provide skilled care—if a worker does not have enough experience to treat a patient, then another professional should be brought in to oversee any type of care.
Errors and other forms of medical malpractice can result in catastrophic injuries, which may require costly rehabilitation and therapy. They can also result in death.
Nashville injury attorney Stanley Davis is aware of the many ways that medical malpractice can cause serious complications. Call us today if poor medical care has harmed you.
“Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” – Luke 6:28
Source: https://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/22/why-you-should-never-go-to-the-hospital-in-july/comment-page-7/