Surgical Errors and Rising Death Rates in Urology Patients

Home/Hospital Negligence/Surgical Error/Surgical Errors and Rising Death Rates in Urology Patients

Surgical Errors and Rising Death Rates in Urology Patients

Surgical errors are a frequent source of medical malpractice claims in Ohio. Urologic Care reports this month that the incidence of wrongful death associated with common urologic procedures increased significantly over a 12-year study period.   The increase in preventable deaths coincided with a shift of more procedures to outpatient surgery centers.  It appears that, once again, profits are getting in the way of safe medical care

Investigators found that deaths increased by 18% during the study period.  These results buck a general trend of improving surgical outcomes in other surgical specialties.  Sadly, the death rates were highest among the poor and elderly.  Older patients, minorities, publicly insured patients, and patients who received care at urban hospitals had the highest mortality rates.  Investigators also found that the mortality rate after a complication increased by 1.5% per year over the study period.

The study period was from 1998 to 2010.  Procedures studied included TURP, ureteric stenting, nephrectomy, TURBT, PCN placement, bladder biopsy, and cystectomy — all standard urologic surgeries.  As a lawyer handling medical negligence cases throughout Ohio, I am not surprised by these findings.  In the quest for profits, healthcare providers and health insurers have conspired to reduce the time of surgical admissions, often sending groggy patients home to be cared for in unmonitored settings.

It used to be that recovery occurred in a setting where a professional registered nurse would monitor the patient’s recovery over the course of a few days after such procedures.  Many poorer, weaker patients lack the voice or finances to bring concerns to caregivers’ attention once they have left the hospital.  While surgeons are reducing intraoperative surgical errors with improved surgical techniques, substandard postop care can nonetheless result in a bad outcome.

People interested in learning more about our firm’s legal services, including medical malpractice in Ohio, may ask questions or send us information about a particular case by phone or email. There is no charge for contacting us regarding your inquiry. A member of our medical-legal team will respond within 24 hours.
By David Kulwicki|2022-02-17T23:12:44+00:00August 22nd, 2014|Surgical Error|Comments Off on Surgical Errors and Rising Death Rates in Urology Patients

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

216-595-1900
[map address="25550 Chagrin Blvd., Beachwood, OH 44122" type="roadmap" map_style="custom" overlay_color="" infobox="default" infobox_background_color="" infobox_text_color="" infobox_content="Mishkind Kulwicki Co., L.P.A." icon="//www.mishkindlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Map-Marker-e1446737870231.png" width="100%" height="350px" zoom="12" scrollwheel="no" scale="no" zoom_pancontrol="no" popup="no" class="" id=""][/map]