In many cases, CAUTIs are preventable. When hospitals, nursing homes, or healthcare providers fail to follow proper standards of care for catheter use, the result can be a severe infection, sepsis, prolonged hospitalization, or even death. In these cases, a catheter-associated infection may be a result of medical malpractice.
While underlying conditions increase clotting risk, medication errors play a major role in preventable cases of thromboembolism. Providers commonly use anticoagulant medications – such as warfarin, heparin, and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) – to help prevent DVT and PE in at-risk patients. mismanagement – such as incorrect dosing, omitted doses, or failure to adjust based on patient factors – can neglect necessary protection, allowing clots to form and become fatal emboli.
Certain drugs are toxic to the kidneys, particularly when improperly prescribed, administered in the wrong dose, or given without regard for the patient’s renal function. These medication errors can turn an otherwise reversible condition into a catastrophic outcome. One of the most frequent and preventable causes of acute kidney injury in hospitalized patients is medication-related.
There are many potential causes of respiratory depression or arrest, including brain injuries, neuromuscular disorders, and severe infections. However, one of the most common—and most preventable—causes in hospitalized patients is the improper administration of medications.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, either due to a blockage (ischemic stroke) or bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). A hemorrhage, whether intracranial or elsewhere in the body, involves uncontrolled bleeding from blood vessels and can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. In medical settings, these catastrophic events are sometimes the direct result of errors in medication management.
Cardiac events may occur despite appropriate care due to complex medical conditions or unforeseeable complications. However, when a provider fails to consider known risks, skips standard heart monitoring, administers drugs inappropriately, or ignores warning signs, preventable harm occurs—and it might be grounds for a malpractice claim.
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a rare but serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. It often begins with flu-like symptoms and rapidly progresses to a painful red or purplish rash that blisters, peels, and causes layers of skin to die and slough off. SJS can affect the eyes, mouth, airway, genitals, and internal organs. In its more severe form—Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)—the condition can be fatal.
A facial nerve injury refers to damage to the seventh cranial nerve, commonly known as the facial nerve. This nerve controls most of the muscles in the face and is responsible for expressions like smiling, blinking, and frowning. It also plays a role in speech, chewing, and tear and saliva production. When the facial nerve is injured, it can lead to partial or full paralysis, facial droop, involuntary muscle movements, or loss of taste on part of the tongue. The severity of the injury depends on how and where the nerve is damaged.
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that begins at the spinal cord in the neck and extends through the shoulder, arm, and hand. When functioning properly, the brachial plexus allows for normal use of the entire arm and hand. If the brachial plexus is damaged during childbirth and the injury is severe or treatment is delayed, the child may never regain full function.
The phrenic nerve is a critical nerve in the body that controls the diaphragm, the primary muscle used for breathing. Injury to the phrenic nerve can occur during high-risk surgeries, or if medical professionals fail to take proper precautions. Without proper function of the phrenic nerve, the diaphragm may not work correctly, leading to breathing problems or even respiratory failure in severe cases.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a blood clot, usually from the deep veins of the legs or pelvis, travels to the lungs and blocks a pulmonary artery. This obstruction can severely reduce oxygen flow to the lungs and other vital organs, leading to sudden death if not promptly diagnosed and treated. Unfortunately, PE is often misdiagnosed or not treated in time, making it a leading cause of preventable death in the United States.
Although popliteal artery aneurysm may initially cause no symptoms, it carries a high risk of clotting, rupture, or limb-threatening ischemia. Given these risks, timely diagnosis and intervention are crucial. Unfortunately, medical malpractice can occur when doctors fail to recognize or properly treat this condition, leading to catastrophic harm.
