Surgery Basics

When a doctor diagnoses a patient with a condition necessitating surgical treatment, there are certain steps and protocol that he or she should follow to ensure that you are delivered the most attentive and safest care possible. Failure to do so may result in dangerous surgical errors that pose unnecessary but severe threats to the patients. Surgical errors caused by this form of negligence are considered to be forms of medical malpractice, and the victims in these cases have a right to compensation for their monetary, physical, and emotional losses.

The Surgical Procedure

A surgical team is expected to carry out certain procedures before, during and after an operation in order to ensure that the patient is safeguarded from risks that may arise, such as infection or dangerous drug reactions. In general, the following procedure is followed:

• Preoperative evaluation and examination of the patient
• Preoperative preparation of patient
• Further evaluation of patient on the day of surgery
• Any measures that need to be taken prior to the operation, such as obtaining blood for a necessary transfusion
• Sterilization of operating room and all equipment or tools to be used
• Sterilization of surgical team
• Close monitoring of patient’s vital signs during and after the procedure
• Post-operative assessment of the patient’s treated condition
• Check the patient for infection
• Any post-operative therapy that is necessary to improve the results

It is the responsibility of the medical staff to perform surgery according to protocol. Failure to do so puts the patient at risk.

Contact Us

If you have been the victim of dangerous and damaging surgical malpractice, contact the Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today at 610-667-7511 to discuss your concerns with an experienced attorney.