When Discharge Is A Disaster: 10 Potential Malpractice Errors

Hospital and medical center patient discharge errors can take many forms and often involve medical malpractice negligence. They may be caused by doctors, medical staff, specialists, hospitals, medical office staff, and medical care facility workers, among others. All forms of medical malpractice negligence in the state of Florida are based on actions that represent a breach of the prevailing medical standard of care as defined by Florida law.¹

The following are ten potential scenarios involving patient discharge negligence:

1. Premature Discharge

This occurs when a patient is released from a hospital or other medical facility too soon, before an individual’s medical condition has been appropriately treated and stabilized and it is safe for the individual to return home and continue regular activities.

2. Discharge Without Prescription/Prescribed Medication

Failure to provide a patient with one or more written prescriptions that has been issued by a doctor or specialist, or failure to provide a prescription filled on site, or both, can leave a patient at risk of serious harm or even death.

3. Discharge With Improper Medication

Errors in medication dispersed to a patient upon discharge can also leave a patient at risk of serious harm or death. This type of patient discharge negligence can occur due to confusion surrounding patient records, or mistakes in bottle labeling or medication type when prescriptions are filled.

4. Discharge Without Adequate or Proper Care Directions

Discharging a patient without providing sufficient and proper care instructions and confirming that they are understood by the patient is negligent and leaves the patient at risk for multiple types of both physical and mental harm.

5. Discharge Without Notice of Critical Follow-up Appointment(s)

Neglecting to provide a patient with legible doctor-ordered follow-up appointments that are crucial to the health and safety of the patient are negligent actions that risk the patient’s health and well-being.

6. Discharge and Abandonment

Among the most horrific and serious forms of patient discharge negligence, this occurs when a patient is discharged and left alone without care or assistance, whether it be outside at a hospital or anywhere else.

7. Discharge of Incorrect Patient

Confusion regarding a patient’s name, records, room number, or other factors, whether due to miscommunication, language barriers, or other issues, can cause an incorrect patient to be discharged and at risk for serious physical or mental harm or even death.

8. Discharge Prior to Complete Test Results Review By One or More Physicians or Specialists

Discharging a patient prior to having solid knowledge of the individual’s condition based on a thorough review of tests, and subsequently providing appropriate treatment, can leave a patient at substantial risk of harm.

9. Worsening of Patient Condition Immediately or Shortly After Discharge

When a patient’s condition worsens shortly after discharge, the cause may be an improper diagnosis, premature discharge, improper medication, or a combination of things, none of which enhance the safety of the patient and instead create serious risk with regard to the individual’s overall health and well-being.

10. Discharge Based on Misdiagnosis

Having an improper diagnosis can not only cause patients to be released from a hospital too soon, but can also exacerbate the symptoms of the original illness or injury.

From emergency room visits to long-term surgical hospital stays, and for patients of all ages, patient discharge medical malpractice negligence remains a multi-faceted concern with regard to today’s rapidly changing medical field.

If you or a loved one has experienced patient discharge medical malpractice negligence, contacting an experienced lawyer for an initial consultation is an important step. It is helpful to research information about lawyers who specialize in patient discharge negligence cases, or if possible, who specialize in the particular type of medical malpractice negligence lawsuit case you may be dealing with.

Record-breaking birth injury medical malpractice negligence lawyer Richard “Bo” Sharp, Esquire of Miami’s noted Mallard & Sharp, P.A. law firm’s goal is to obtain maximum justice for victims and their families. Mallard & Sharp, P.A. is dedicated to providing clients with the path to justice and financial recovery. The firm is highly recognized for handling difficult cases that involve infant and/or maternal birth injuries, medical malpractice, and negligent security, as well as any other acts of provable negligence that have caused catastrophic injuries or wrongful death to individuals.

For additional information, or to inquire about expert legal representation for a potential medical malpractice negligence lawsuit case involving patient discharge, contact Mallard & Sharp, P.A. at 305-461-4800.

¹ http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-