Ten Types Of Patient Discharge Medical Malpractice Negligence
Medical malpractice negligence takes many forms, including those involving patient discharge negligence. It may involve doctors, medical staff, specialists, hospitals, medical offices, and medical care facilities. All forms of medical malpractice negligence in 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 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 his or her medical condition has been appropriately stabilized and it is safe for the individual to return home.
2. Discharge Without Prescribed Medication
Failure to provide a patient with one or more written prescriptions that has been issued by a doctor, or an actual 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 disbursement of medication 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 during prescription bottling.
4. Discharge Without Adequate or Proper Care Directions
Discharging a patient without first providing sufficient and proper care instructions is negligent and leaves the patient at risk for multiple types of harm.
5. Discharge Without Notice of Critical Follow-up Appointment(s)
Forgetting or neglecting to provide a patient with 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
One of the most horrific and serious forms of patient discharge negligence, this occurs when a patient is discharged and left alone without care or assistance.
7. Discharge of Incorrect Patient
Confusion regarding a patient’s name, records, room number, or other factors can cause an incorrect patient to be discharged and at risk for serious 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 his or her condition based on reviewed 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, 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 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 negligence remains a multi-faceted concern with regard to today’s rapidly changing medical arenas.
If you or a loved one has experienced patient discharge 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 Negligence lawsuit case you may be dealing with.
Many lawyers and legal teams offer free initial consultations. At Mallard & Sharp, P.A., we specialize in a wide variety of cases, including patient discharge negligence in Miami, South Florida, or any other area in Florida. To schedule a free initial consultation with our expert legal team call 877.662.5527 or 305.461.4800.