New Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Hospital Negligence for Dementia Patients
As the elderly population continues to grow in the United States, the need for geriatric care in hospitals and emergency rooms has increased too. A recent study conducted by the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority reported that dementia patients frequently suffer serious and sometimes fatal injuries because hospital doctors and medical personnel fail to recognize and diagnose the disorder.
Additional data from the Regnestrief Institute and the Indiana University Center for Aging Research confirm that dementia patients are more likely to die from falls, bed sores, and medication errors following a hospital or emergency room visit. Cognitive and mobility deficits in dementia patients lead to a high rate of mortality, hospital re-admissions, and emergency room visits.
Analysts from both studies agree that hospital and emergency room doctors, nurses, and medical personnel need better procedures to identify and treat patients with dementia. Attention must be given to the patient’s ability to assess or make decisions for their care. Failure to properly assess competence and decision-making skills, and neglecting to consult with caregivers or family members for the patient’s history can lead to serious complications.
Researchers at the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority suggest that hospitals and emergency rooms routinely screen patients over 65 years of age for signs of cognitive or physical impairment that could indicate dementia. A focus on the patient’s decision-making and executive functioning skills can help identify those most at risk for dementia and help coordinate successful treatment plans in and out of the hospital setting.
In addition to cognitive assessment of elderly patients, hospital and emergency room doctors are recognizing the need to identify additional signs that can lead to high mortality and readmission rates for the elderly. Low blood pressure, elevated heart rates, and changes in a patient’s disposition from admission to discharge were found to be key factors for high death rates and readmissions following a hospital or emergency room visit.
Researchers from the Department of Medicine at the University of California at Los Angeles reported that elderly patients are more vulnerable to changes in vital signs than a younger patient. With this in mind, admission and discharge decisions must be made carefully to avoid tragic consequences once a patient leaves the hospital or emergency room. Special caution must be taken when assessing the patient’s living situations as well. Those who show signs of dementia may not be capable of sustaining their health if they live alone or have limited supervision.
Doctors, nurses, medical personnel, and facilities risk being sued for medical malpractice when negligence in assessing a dementia patient’s needs results in injury or death. Patients and families that believe injury or death resulted from a failure to properly diagnose or recognize dementia may be entitled to compensation if they can prove negligence or medical error.
New Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP Assist Dementia Patients Injured by Medical Negligence
Elderly and dementia patients are entitled to specialized care in hospitals and emergency rooms. Failure to recognize, diagnose, or investigate a suspicion of dementia in a patient can lead to complications and even death. The experienced team of New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP have been helping victims of medical malpractice claim justice and compensation for over 25 years.
Call us at 732-777-0100, or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation today. We serve clients throughout New Jersey with offices conveniently located in Toms River, Edison, and Red Bank.
Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP has purposely remained small in size, because it is important to us that we get to know our clients and their needs. Larger NJ injury firms may churn out case after case, but that’s not how we operate. Partners Barry Eichen, William Crutchlow, and Daryl Zaslow have created a firm with the resources to handle complex litigation, and a team that takes your case personally.
Find out more about Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP