Emergency room doctors and supporting medical professionals admittedly must make split decisions that could be critical to a patient’s life and well-being. They do so often under very stressful circumstances.
However, these circumstances do not excuse these doctors if they commit medical malpractice. Legally, they are subject to the same standard of care as any other doctor in Florida. If they breach this standard and injure patients as a result, they are liable to pay those patients compensation for their losses.
Figuring out how the legal standard of care works in each case can be complicated because it depends a lot on specific facts and circumstances.
Still, there are many established medical authorities which describe what a Florida emergency room physician should or should not do to diagnose and stabilize the patients they see. Emergency room doctors are expected to use their judgment considering these guidelines and standards.
The bottom line is that emergency doctors do not get a free pass just because their work requires fast decision-making. To some extent, they accept that the stress comes with the territory of being in a high-paying and trusted profession.
Patients in the Tampa area and their families can hold negligent emergency room doctors accountable for any injuries they cause.
Those who are victims of emergency room malpractice have options
There are several types of mistakes doctors too often make while treating patients in an emergency setting.
- The doctor could misdiagnose the patient and, thus, pursue the wrong course of action.
- For different reasons, the patient’s treatment could be delayed.
- The emergency room staff may prescribe or administer the incorrect medication or at the incorrect dosage.
- There could be errors or delays in, or miscommunications about, the administration of diagnostic tests, including stat blood work. The doctor could also misinterpret the results.
If a patient suspects that one of these common mistakes or another error led to an injury or worsened medical condition, they should evaluate their legal options.