Common Injury-Causing Mistakes in the Maternity Ward
Maternity wards are among the busiest departments within a hospital. These physicians and nurses are tasked with providing constant care for women in various stages of labor and delivery. With so much happening, staff members sometimes fail to adequately act in the best interest of the mother and child. While there are numerous mistakes that can take place within the maternity ward, some errors tend to occur more often than others.
Know the risks associated with maternity ward errors
Medical errors can occur at all stages of the labor and delivery process. They include:
- Inadequate observation of fetal monitor. In the maternity ward setting, the fetal monitor is one of the most important pieces of equipment in the room. The device is attached to the mother’s abdomen so the vital signs of the baby, along with contractions of the uterus, can be recorded and monitored. When nurses and doctors fail to reasonably check the monitor, they can miss important signs of distress. Early identification is extremely important to making proper treatment and delivery decisions. If the monitor is not properly observed, treatable complications can be missed, fatally injuring the fetus and the mother.
- Improperly administered epidurals. There are numerous errors that can occur surrounding the administration of an epidural. These pain management tools are not always appropriate for mothers with certain medical conditions. In addition, incorrect placement of an epidural can cause damage to a single nerve or the spinal cord as a whole. While most damage is mild and temporary, some women are left with permanent paralysis following an epidural error.
- Delayed cesarean sections. It is vital for maternity ward doctors and nurses to identify potential complications in a timely manner. In many instances, a cesarean section is necessary to save the life of the mother and/or the baby. When the decision to operate is unreasonably delayed, the C-section may not occur in time to avoid death or severe injury.
- Birthing tool errors. The obstetrician may choose to use medical tools to assist the baby through the birthing canal. Two of the most common are forceps and birthing vacuums. Both of these tools are somewhat controversial, due to the significant number of injuries associated with them. When used incorrectly, forceps can fracture the baby’s skull, or cause internal bleeding within the skull, as explained by the Mayo Clinic. Birthing vacuums can also cause skull fractures, as well as cerebral palsy and hemorrhages when improperly utilized.
- Staff errors. Many maternity ward errors stem from staffing mistakes. These may be due to inadequate staffing numbers or errors made by exhausted doctors and nurses. For example, medical notes may be added to the wrong patient chart or medication orders may be misinterpreted. Even seemingly insignificant errors can potentially lead to serious injuries or even death of a mother or newborn.
At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, our experienced Memphis birth injury lawyers provide comprehensive legal representation to the residents of Memphis, Jackson, and West Tennessee. Call our office at 901-680-9777 or complete our contact form today. Let us help you help your family.
As founder of Bailey & Greer, R. Sadler Bailey has battled his fair share of insurance giants and wrongdoers and has achieved numerous multimillion-dollar results for the victims of catastrophic injuries and their families. What’s more, he has been involved in more than 40 appellate court decisions affecting Tennessee personal injury law, including many landmark appearances before the Tennessee Supreme Court.
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