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How can distractions in the operating room lead to malpractice?

On Behalf of | Nov 17, 2022 | Medical Malpractice |

Soon after you start to recover from surgery, you may begin to notice that your body is hurting in strange ways.

Medical errors can happen when your surgeon becomes distracted at any point during the operation. Understanding the situations where this typically happens can benefit you if you suspect medical malpractice.

Voices and communication

According to the American College of Surgeons, whenever a staff member needs to talk to the doctor, there is a possibility of an interruption that can make them lose track of where they are in the operation. This issue is especially dangerous when a person interrupts with a nonessential conversation starter or exclaims words out loud.

A slip of a knife during a delicate procedure or forgetting to count small surgical items before stitching a person back up are some of the ways that this distraction can lead to serious problems.

Noises and technology

Staff members may feel tempted to look at their phones during the procedure. Whether they feel distracted by personal worries or previous discussions with other people, broken mental concentration can lead to surgeons and staff making mistakes.

Sudden beeping noises or loud ringtones can surprise the surgeon or make them forget a step in the overall procedure.

Visual confusion

Bright lights and temporarily blinding flashes of light can disrupt the flow of a medical team who are all concentrating on detailed tasks.

No matter what kind of distractions your doctor faces, such as lights or noises, medical malpractice can seriously harm you as a patient.