Anesthesia is a necessary part of surgical procedures. It is the ultimate in pain relief because it renders you unable to feel anything through a combination of medicines. It also aids the doctor by ensuring you do not move during the procedure.
The administration of the drugs requires a doctor who has special training in the field of anesthesia. These doctors only practice in this area, so they know the drugs and procedures very well. Despite this, mistakes can still occur, and anesthesia errors can be deadly. According to the National Institutes of Health, anesthesia errors occur due to four main reasons.
Inadequate knowledge
Training in this field is essential. When an anesthesiologist lacks proper training and skills, it becomes incredibly dangerous for his or her patients. A person may have all the required degrees and training but still lack the ability to properly do his or her job. Other members of the surgical team must watch for those who are not performing at the expected standards to protect patients.
Not following procedures and guidelines
Procedures and guidelines are essential to ensuring safety in the medical field. However, just as with any other industry, there are workers who think they know how to do it better. They may skip steps they feel are time-consuming or cut corners. In the medical field, this can be a deadly choice.
Medication mistakes
Medication mistakes may not be the fault of the anesthesiologist. They could be a result of incorrect labels or mix-ups that occur prior to the doctor handling the medication. Of course, the anesthesiologist may also make mistakes, such as figuring the wrong dosage or giving the wrong drug.
Communication issues
Perhaps the worst mistake is when communication breaks down. Surgical teams must have clear and effective communication or they risk harming a patient.
Any of these issues can lead to serious injury or death of a patient due to anesthesia errors.