Denver Hospital Administrative Negligence Attorneys
Lawyers Hold Denver Hospitals Accountable for Administrative Negligence
Denver, the Mile-High City, stands as a beacon of urban sophistication nestled against the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains. Known for its diverse weather, eclectic arts scene, and an always-evolving cultural landscape, Denver seamlessly blends the excitement of metropolitan living with the tranquility of nature. From the historic charm of Larimer Square to the cutting-edge exhibitions at the Denver Art Museum, Denver exudes a unique energy that attracts residents and visitors from all over.
Amidst this vibrant setting, Denver has some top-tier healthcare facilities that are recognized for their excellence, including state-of-the-art hospitals and clinics staffed by some of the nation's top professionals. Yet, the healthcare system can falter even in a city that prides itself on innovation and quality. Hospital administrative negligence is a significant issue that can do great harm to individuals as well as undermine future patient trust and safety. There is more than one way to become a victim of negligence during your hospital stay. Errors on the part of an administrator or the hospital's overall administrative program can lead to patient injury.
If you suffered injury, infection, or worsened illness at the hands of healthcare providers, contact the Denver medical malpractice attorneys at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. Our nationally acclaimed trial lawyers may be able to review your medical records and file a claim for compensation on your behalf. Call (303) 759-9945 or toll-free at (877) 433-3906 for a no-charge initial consultation.
What Is Hospital Administrative Negligence?
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider deviates from the accepted standards of practice, resulting in harm to a patient. This can encompass a wide range of actions or omissions, from surgical errors to misdiagnoses. Administrative negligence, a subset of medical malpractice, involves failures in the administrative processes that support patient care.
The hospital is responsible for many aspects of a patient's safety and health during their stay. Hospitals are responsible for hiring and supervising qualified employees, maintaining the equipment and facility, and appropriate staffing.
There are various ways a hospital may fail to meet the standard of care and be found negligent. Examples include:
- Hiring unlicensed employees, employees with a history of serious misconduct, or otherwise unqualified employees to treat patients.
- Failing to monitor healthcare provider certifications, training, and licensing requirements to ensure that employees are updated and informed. Continuing medical education, which consists of educational activities to maintain, develop, or increase a practitioner's knowledge, skills, and professional performance, is required for virtually all medical professionals (ACCME).
- Failing to fire employees who have been found guilty of misconduct or lost their license or certifications and can no longer safely treat patients.
- Failing to establish protocols for medical staff and patients to ensure a safe facility or failing to update or improve safety protocols after unsafe practices have been demonstrated. Hospital administration departments may be responsible for establishing and promoting sanitation programs, patient transport safety, hospital room safety, and medical development updates.
- Making patient paperwork errors. Paperwork errors can lead to a number of serious consequences, such as prescribing improper medication or a premature discharge.
- Inadequately staffing a hospital department.
For example, an administrative employee who makes an error on the patient's intake form regarding drug allergies may result in the patient receiving that drug. This could require an emergency treatment to attempt to revert the effects of the drugs. In this case, the patient may receive damages for costly emergency room bills and for suffering the trauma of an overdose.
Proving Hospital Administrative Negligence in Denver
Administrative errors at a hospital can result in serious injuries and losses. Medical malpractice cases are extremely complicated to prove, as a lawyer will need to research and consult experts to determine exactly what went wrong, when it happened, and how it caused the patient's injury.
Proving negligence requires demonstrating the following elements. Remember, a hospital acts through its employees:
- Duty: The hospital had a legal duty to the patient.
- Breach: The hospital failed to uphold its legal duty to the patient's health and safety by acting or failing to act in a certain way.
- Causation: The hospital's error was a cause of harm to the patient.
- Damages: The patient was harmed by the hospital's actions.
Proving causation is a critical element in any negligence claim, including those related to administrative errors in hospitals. Causation links the breach of duty to the harm suffered by the patient. To establish this connection, plaintiffs must demonstrate that administrative negligence was a factor in, or contributed to, the injury.
Impact of Hospital Administrative Negligence on Patient Safety
Administrative errors in healthcare settings are alarmingly common, and they can have severe impacts on patient safety. According to a study by Johns Hopkins, medical errors, including administrative mistakes, cause over 250,000 fatalities per year. That makes it the third leading cause of death, after heart disease and cancer.
Common administrative mistakes, such as errors in medical records and miscommunications during patient handovers, account for a significant portion of these adverse events. Delays in diagnosis and treatment caused by scheduling errors can exacerbate a patient's medical conditions, leading to prolonged hospital stays or irreversible damage.
Measures for Preventing Hospital Administrative Negligence
Implementing best practices is essential for hospitals to minimize administrative negligence and enhance patient safety. Hospitals should begin by establishing standardized procedures for patient documentation and record-keeping. Consistency in these processes reduces the risk of errors.
Ongoing training and education for administrative staff are crucial. Regular workshops and updated training modules ensure staff are well-versed in the latest protocols and technologies. Another effective measure is implementing a double-check system for critical tasks, such as medication orders and patient information entry. This helps catch errors before they impact patient care.
Fostering a culture of accountability and open communication encourages staff to report potential mistakes without fear of retribution. Hospitals are required to conduct periodic audits of their administrative processes to identify areas of improvement.
Technological solutions play a pivotal role in reducing administrative errors in hospitals. Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems are one of the most effective tools in this regard. EHRs streamline patient information, making it accessible and accurate across various departments. This reduces the risk of miscommunication and ensures that all healthcare providers have up-to-date patient data.
Automated scheduling systems can help prevent appointment overlaps and ensure timely patient care. Barcode medication administration (BCMA) systems also offer a layer of safety by verifying patient identity and medication details before administration. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms can further enhance administrative processes by predicting potential errors and suggesting preventive measures.
How to Document and Report Hospital Administrative Negligence in Denver
If you were injured by medical malpractice caused by the administrative negligence of hospital administrators, you should begin documenting your case right away. You can start by maintaining a detailed record of all medical interactions, including dates, times, and the names of healthcare providers involved.
Request copies of all medical records, test results, and correspondence related to the patient's care. These documents can help you pinpoint where administrative errors may have occurred. It's important to keep a record of any discrepancies or unusual occurrences, such as delays in treatment or conflicting medical advice, as soon as they happen.
It's a good idea to keep a personal health journal to log symptoms, treatments, and any changes in the patient's condition. This can provide a comprehensive view of the patient's experience.
Take Action and Speak With a Denver Medical Malpractice Attorney
Compensation may be awarded to a victim of hospital negligence for additional medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering. If you believe you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a hospital error in Colorado, you should contact our Denver medical malpractice lawyers to manage your case.
If you'd like to schedule a consultation with our hospital administrative negligence attorneys in Denver, call our office at (303) 759-9945 or toll-free at (877) 433-3906 today.
