Category: Patient Safety

Modern hospitals rely on complex systems involving physicians, nurses, specialists, diagnostic laboratories, and electronic medical records. While these systems are intended to improve patient care, failures in communication can sometimes lead to serious medical mistakes. Communication breakdowns are a well-documented cause of preventable medical harm. Important test results may not be shared with the appropriate […]
Hospital Negligence + Patient Safety

A new year often brings reflection – and for some patients and families, difficult questions about medical care that didn’t go as expected. If you or a loved one experienced a medical injury, understanding your rights and options under Illinois law is an important first step. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to […]
Medical Malpractice + Patient Safety + Standard of Care

The phrase “no news is good news” can be dangerously misleading in healthcare settings, especially when silence masks overlooked details or critical errors. In fact, nearly 40% of medical malpractice claims involve diagnostic mishaps, often tied to failures in communication. Patients must take an active role in their healthcare by insisting on clear communication regarding […]
Medical Error + Patient Safety

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in the United States, but the good news is that many of its risk factors are preventable or manageable with the right lifestyle choices and medical care. Taking proactive steps toward heart health can significantly reduce your risk and improve your overall quality of life. Steps to […]
Patient Safety

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found evidence that July is indeed the most dangerous month to be treated at teaching hospitals, verifying the long-presumed existence of the “July Effect.” The Study Methodology & Findings Researchers analyzed data from 39 previous studies. Based on the best-quality studies, they found that patient deaths […]
Hospital Negligence + Medical Error + Medical Malpractice + Patient Safety

Despite advancements in awareness, advocation, and litigation, medical malpractice remains a persistent threat to patients – especially those requiring extended hospital stays. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) sheds new light on the prevalence and severity of these adverse events occurring during hospitalization.  Background Conducted across 11 hospitals in […]
Hospital Negligence + Patient Safety

As a patient, you have rights. They are designed to protect you from undesired and undeserved medical outcomes. If a healthcare provider violates these rights, you may be entitled to legal recourse. As a proactive patient or victim of medical malpractice, understanding these rights is integral to receiving fair compensation. Patient Rights to Proper Healthcare […]
Patient Safety + Standard of Care

It’s well known that fatigue makes us more prone to mistakes and lapses in judgment. For those whose decision-making abilities determine the wellbeing of others, this is a potentially catastrophic problem. A recent study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings reported that nearly 1 in 3 physicians surveyed experienced fatigue within three months of taking the […]
Doctor Errors + Medical Malpractice + Patient Safety

Your well-being is the ultimate goal of healthcare; every doctor has sworn to uphold it. Still, medical errors are common, sometimes resulting in serious injury. As medical malpractice attorneys, we mainly deal with victims who have already suffered due to negligence. But advocating for your protection isn’t just the theme of Patient Safety Awareness Week—it’s […]
Patient Safety

Most likely you or someone you know has had surgery. Some surgical  procedures are not necessary but can provide an enhanced quality of life. Other surgeries, however, are potentially life-saving or can prevent significant disability – some being emergency in nature. All surgical procedure carry the potential for doctor errors. But recent research shows some procedures […]
Doctor Errors + Patient Safety

Finding a good doctor is one of the most important things we do. Often our search begins by asking our friends, trusted family members, and even our co-workers for their thoughts. That is a great way to start, but our experience has shown that some additional research always yields better results. We are not talking […]
Patient Safety

Blood Clots: Risk Factors, Prevention and Treatment Have you ever wondered how a blood clot becomes dangerous? Generally speaking, the ability of your blood to clot is a good thing. When you get a cut, the reason you don’t keep bleeding and bleeding is that your blood contains platelets which make it thicken or “clot.” […]
Patient Safety

What is Informed Consent and How Can it Help Prevent Medical Malpractice? Informed consent is integral to the doctor-patient relationship. Patients need to trust and rely on their doctors to use their extensive training and experience to heal them. That does not mean you should be left in the dark when it comes to making […]
Medical Malpractice + Patient Safety

A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that teaching hospitals experience an exponential rise in medication errors every July like clockwork – which just happens to coincide with the arrival of new residents and the departure of many of the seasoned staff members. You may want to ask “is July a […]
Medication Errors + Patient Safety

American College of Radiology cites facility’s practice posed a “serious risk to human health” SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is urging patients of Hoffman MRI, also known as Hoffman Imaging and Medical Center, and formerly known as Hope Imaging, 2500 W. Higgins Road Suite 830 in Hoffman Estates, to consult their physician […]
Medical Devices + Medical Malpractice + Patient Safety

We hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day holiday weekend. Taking time to relax and enjoy the company of friends and family is an important part of our lives.  However, even under the best circumstances accidents happen. Accidents and illness, unfortunately, do not take holidays off and sometimes a trip to the hospital or […]
Patient Safety

  “What else could it be?” These are five powerful words that you should be ready to ask your doctor during a visit. If you are like most people you probably aren’t looking forward to a visit to see the doctor. As a patient, you don’t have the luxury of always knowing exactly why you […]
Misdiagnosis + Patient Safety

Avoiding doctor errors is something everyone wants to do.  After all, a visit to the doctor or a hospital is about feeling better, not worse.  Most of the time patient safety is a high priority for healthcare professionals. Unfortunately, there are times that mistakes are made and patients find themselves worse off than when they […]
Doctor Errors + Medical Error + Patient Safety

One thing you can always count on during a trip to the doctor’s office is signing some paperwork.  There will probably be an intake document that provides or confirms your information. It should also disclose the reason for your visit. You will also likely have a form explaining your HIPPA rights. Also among the forms you receive, […]
Patient Safety + Surgical Errors

There’s a lot of bad information about medical malpractice lawsuits. Some think it’s a “get rich” quick scheme and sadly too many lawyer advertisements make it seem that way, but it is not. Others think medical malpractice cases are a scourge that must be stopped. This thinking has caused legislators to pass tort reform laws that make […]
Civil Justice + Medical Error + Medical Malpractice + Patient Safety