Bonjour lecteurs! As soon as you become a parent, it’s a constant worry to make sure that children are safe. It goes without saying that if your child has any medical issue, you are at the mercy of medical errors. The wellbeing of vulnerable children is not always easy and erreurs médicales can happen at any time. Here are the most common types of medical negligence that can occur in paediatric care. By understanding these issues, you can better recognise potential problems and take the right décision for you to ensure the safety and well-being of your children.
Misdiagnosis Or Delayed Diagnosis
Children often present with symptoms that can be easily mistaken for less severe conditions, a misdiagnosis is always possible. It’s even more common as children might not fully be able to articulate their feelings.
Par exemple, conditions such as meningitis, appendicitis, and certain cancers can sometimes be misdiagnosed as viral infections or less critical issues.
There might also be a delay in diagnosing a serious condition and you then miss on the window for effective treatment. If you feel it is the case, you can apply for a medical negligence claim, especially if it can be demonstrated that the healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care. You can even start consulting with medical negligence solicitors who will provide with guidance and support on the matter.
Medication Errors
Younger patients are particularly vulnerable to medication errors due to their smaller body size and the complexities involved in calculating appropriate dosages. Common types of medication errors include administering the wrong medication, incorrect dosages, and failure to consider potential drug interactions or allergies. For example, they might have received the dosage of an adult and it will lead to an overdose.
Healthcare providers must adhere to strict protocols when prescribing and administering medications to children. It can include double-checking dosages, confirming the correct medication, and considering the child’s medical history.
Surgical & Procedural Mistakes
Surgical and procedural mistakes, though less common, are serious forms of medical negligence that can have devastating effects on your child. It includes improper techniques or errors in post-operative care.
Par exemple, a surgeon might operate on the wrong part of the body, or a child might suffer from an infection due to inadequate post-operative care.
Any medical negligence can have devastating consequence for you child and your family. It will mean prolonged recovery times, additional surgeries, or even permanent disability. Rest assured that generally speaking, the medical group follows safety protocols and quality control measures, so it is quite rare.
Either way, always listen to your maternal instinct and if if any issue persists, you can also ask for a second opinion.
And if any problèmes, you can seek for legal advice from medical negligence solicitors. They will be able to help your case if needed.
Collaboration, picture from Freepik.
