Common Signs of Postoperative Negligence – Surgery is crucial for treating many conditions and illnesses, including tumors. However, the doctor’s job doesn’t end after completing a surgical procedure. After a surgical procedure, your medical provider must provide you with post-operative care until you recover fully. This type of care involves follow-up treatment and checkups to ensure you recover properly without complications.
However, failure to get monitored for vitals or receive the standard of care required after surgery can delay your recovery and lead to post-op complications. If your doctor engages in such negligent actions, causing severe damage to your health and condition, you may be eligible for compensation.
Working with an experienced medical malpractice attorney from a reputable law firm like The Tinker Law Firm PLLC can help increase your chances of getting the compensation you deserve. Below are some common signs you could be a victim of post-operative negligence:
1. Infection or Sepsis
One of the most common results of negligent post-operative care is infection. After surgery, your body is usually more vulnerable to infections, especially at the surgical site. Your doctor must routinely monitor and clean your surgical wound to prevent getting an infection. If your healthcare provider doesn’t provide the best post-operative care, you’ll likely develop a bacterial infection.
An infection at your surgical site can delay healing, and if left untreated, it can also spread quickly from your surgical site to other parts of your body through the bloodstream, causing sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening bacterial infection that causes multiple organs to fail. However, without proper post-operative care, your doctor may not detect early signs of an infection, which could worsen your condition and increase your risk for sepsis.
2. Blood Clots
You may also be a victim of post-operative negligence if you develop blood clot-related complications after surgery. During post-operative care, your healthcare provider must take certain measures to prevent you from developing blood clots. They may help you perform light exercises to promote blood flow and prevent blood clots from forming. If you can’t walk or exercise after surgery, your doctor may use compression stockings or prescribe appropriate medications to prevent blood clotting.
If your doctor doesn’t take appropriate measures to prevent blood clotting as part of post-operative care, it can lead to developing deep vein thrombosis. This is a condition whereby blood clots form deep in your pelvis or leg veins. Without immediate treatment to break up the clot, it can travel to other vital organs of your body, such as the heart, causing pulmonary embolisms. This can be life-threatening since it increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
3. Postoperative Hemorrhaging
Post-operative negligence can also lead to hemorrhaging or excessive blood loss at the surgical site. Without prompt treatment, rapid blood loss at the surgical site can lead to shock, and a sudden drop in blood pressure. Over time, this can lead to multiple organ failures and, eventually, death. However, when your doctor routinely monitors your condition, they can easily identify signs of postoperative hemorrhaging and provide prompt treatment.
Common treatments for excessive blood loss after surgery include blood transfusions, saline solution infusions, or another surgery to combat the bleeding. If your doctor fails to provide prompt treatment and your condition worsens due to excessive bleeding, you can sue them for post-operative negligence.
Endnote
If you or a loved one suffers an injury after surgery due to your healthcare provider’s negligence during post-operative care, you may sue them for medical negligence. Make sure you work with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer to help investigate your case and gather the evidence required to prove negligence.
