Hawaii Injury Lawyer Blog

According to watchdog group Public Citizen, the number of medical malpractice payouts and the total value of those payouts have continued to decline. In fact, for the last seven years these numbers have gone down. When adjusted for inflation these numbers reflect the lowest since 1990.

With Congress looking to push medical malpractice reforms such as H.R. 5, these statistics contradict supporters’ rationale for reform, i.e. that medical malpractice payouts are skyrocketing. In fact, the opposite is true – medical malpractice payments as the result of litigation are steadily decreasing.

As noted by David Arkush, director of Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division, these figures reflect the reality that “Health care costs have nothing to do with what’s going on in the courtroom.”

Further although medical malpractice litigation and payouts may be on the decline, medical errors are not. Studies show that medical errors continue to occur at an alarming rate.

Continue reading " Medical Malpractice Payouts Continue To Decline Nationally " »

This past week, NPR aired an eye-opening discussion with Walt Bogdanich about his ongoing investigation into medical and regulatory issues surrounding radiation therapies as their use becomes increasingly common by physicians and dentists.

His investigation into radiation injuries started two years ago when he was tipped off that babies at a major New York hospital were receiving much higher doses than necessary for routine procedures. Despite a state investigation, problems persist.

As Bogdanich notes, the fact that no proper oversight existed at the hospital led him to believe that radiation errors were “perhaps a systemic problem…if this was happening at this New York hospital, then it probably was happening elsewhere.”

Despite the benefits of radiation therapy that may save countless lives, people need to ask more questing and doctors need to provide patients the information they need. Further, patterns of over-radiation have been reported across the country.

Inappropriate exposure to radiation can cause devastating injuries. Health care providers are trained how to give appropriate doses of radiation. Failure to comply with the standard of care for providing radiation may constitute medical malpractice and physician and hospitals may be liable for damages caused. Two main types of radiation injuries include:

• Contamination – where a patient is improperly exposed to radiation treatment; and
• Incorporation – where cells, tissues, and organs absorb the radiation.

Continue reading " Radiation Errors And Hidden Dangers " »

Hawaii officials have announced a new plan aimed at providing better care for Medicaid patients. According to the Hawaii Star-Advertiser, the “medical home model” integrates primary health care, behavioral care and social services and is aimed at “improving patient safety by improving communication.”

One of the key components of the new model is the use of electronic health records aimed at reducing medical errors. By having a coordinated record-keeping system, the hope is that when a patient is transferred from one specialist or doctor to the next, communication between physicians will be improved.

Poor communication between physicians and staff as been cited as a leading cause of medical errors and medical malpractice.

Governor Abercrombie noted, “Our initial investment in and long-term commitment to implement medical homes will improve the quality of care for our people and save the state significant money in the long run.”

Continue reading " Hawaii Medicaid Plan Aimed At Improving Safety " »

A meningitis vaccine already in use has now been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent pediatric meningitis in children as young as nine months old. The Menactra vaccine had previously been approved for use in people 2 years to 55 years old.

Meningitis is caused by bacteria that infect the bloodstream and lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord. According to U.S. News & World Report, even with treatment, as many as 15 percent of people who contract meningitis die, and as many as 20 percent of those who survive suffer complications including brain damage.

Infants are particularly susceptible to meningitis, and may die within hours of contracting the illness. Because of the severity of harm and rapid onset of the illness, pediatricians are trained to diagnose infants quickly. Some clinical signs of infection include high-pitched crying, arching the back, staring and loss of appetite.

If a health care provider does not meet the standard of care in diagnosing and treating meningitis, he or she may be liable for medical malpractice.

Continue reading " Pediatric Meningitis Vaccine Approved " »