Medical facilities can be fast-paced work environments where time is critical to ensure patients receive prompt quality care. However, some medical providers might try to do too much by multitasking, leading to mistakes.
Minor mistakes can cause major problems
According to the National Library of Medicine, work interruptions significantly contribute to on-the-job mistakes, particularly related to administering medication. Nurses and doctors will often go from task to task during a shift, checking on patients, prescribing medication or calling family members with medical updates. Distractions can mean that patients are not given the full attention of medical providers. Sometimes an emergency arises can arise while a doctor or nurse is performing an everyday task, perhaps distracting them long enough to result in a mistake without them even realizing it.
Medical errors due to distraction may be considered malpractice
Victims or surviving family members have the right to hold medical providers accountable for errors if they caused significant harm. If you have questions about medical errors and whether you might have a case, you should contact a qualified and experienced medical malpractice attorney.