Anesthesia Errors: Medical Malpractice Causing Too Many Preventable Deaths and Injuries

Medical team supplying anesthesia in modern operating room at hospital. Visual concept for a legal blog discussing anesthesia errors and medical malpractice.

If you ever had surgery, you likely had anesthesia. When properly used, anesthesia allows patients to undergo life-saving medical procedures without experiencing pain during the surgical process. But when an anesthesia error occurs, the results can be catastrophic.

If you or someone you love was injured during surgery, an anesthesia error might be to blame. The medical malpractice lawyers at Robenalt Law can evaluate your situation and help you find the answers you need. We can explain and help you evaluate your options, and fight for the compensation you and your family deserve.

Founding attorney Tom Robenalt began his legal career at a large insurance defense law firm in Cleveland, where he represented doctors and hospitals in claims for medical negligence. Today, he uses that experience to represent people who were victims of medical malpractice. To put his expertise to work for you, contact Robenalt Law to schedule a free, no-obligation, and confidential appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.

What Is Anesthesia?

Anesthesia is a medication that blocks pain during surgery and other medical procedures. Thousands of years ago, the first crude forms of anesthesia were alcohol and herbal remedies. During the 13th century, anesthesia evolved into the use of opiates. Today, several different types of anesthesia are used, each with a different purpose.

Types of Anesthesia

There are four general types of anesthesia in use today.

  • Local anesthesia numbs a small area of the body. The patient remains fully conscious but does not experience pain in the area that was anesthetized.
  • Regional anesthesia blocks sensation to a larger area of the body, such as a limb or the lower half of the body, as is common during childbirth.
  • Sedation or twilight sleep makes a patient feel very relaxed or drowsy, but still allows them to communicate with the doctor during the procedure. It is often used during dental procedures and diagnostic tests.
  • General anesthesia induces a temporary state of unconsciousness in which the patient is asleep during the procedure.

How Does Anesthesia Work?

Anesthesia is administered by an anesthesiologist (an M.D. or D.O. who is specially trained to administer anesthesia) or a nurse anesthetist. During the surgical procedure, the anesthesiologist must carefully monitor the patient and respond to any changes in the patient’s condition. After surgery, the anesthesiologist must continue to monitor the patient’s breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, circulation, and oxygen levels as the anesthesia wears off.

How Many People Die Under Anesthesia?

Many studies claim to show that the rate of death from anesthesia errors has been declining in recent years. However, this assessment is not universally accepted. The commonly accepted statistic for death due to anesthesia is approximately 1 death in every 100,000 surgeries. However, some studies show a much higher incidence of anesthesia-related death, as high as 1 death per every 13,176 surgeries.

Common Anesthesia Errors that Cause Death or Other Injuries

When properly administered, anesthesia is generally safe. However, mistakes in administering anesthesia or failure to properly monitor a patient under anesthesia can have severe, long-lasting consequences, including death.

Common anesthesia errors include:

  • Overdose. Giving a patient too much anesthesia can suppress the body’s vital functions, such as breathing or heart rate, and lead to serious, permanent injury or even death.
  • Underdose. Not giving a patient enough anesthesia can result in anesthesia awareness, in which the patient regains consciousness during surgery. The trauma of waking up during surgery can lead to severe complications.
  • Failure to monitor. Failure to monitor the patient’s vital signs while under anesthesia can lead to oxygen deprivation, brain damage, and death.
  • Intubation errors. Improperly placing the breathing tube, such in the esophagus instead of the trachea, can lead to oxygen deprivation and death.
  • Delayed delivery of anesthesia. Malfunctions or mistakes in the delivery of anesthesia can lead to a delayed onset, which can cause the patient to experience pain or anesthesia awareness.
  • Adverse drug interactions. Some drugs interact negatively with anesthesia.
  • Improper patient preparation. Patients must follow fasting guidelines before being given anesthesia. If the anesthesiologist fails to explain these guidelines, the patient could experience complications like aspiration, in which the contents of the stomach enter the lungs, which can cause oxygen deprivation or death.
  • Allergic reaction. Some patients are allergic to certain anesthesia agents.
  • Equipment malfunction. Failure to check and maintain anesthesia equipment can result in inaccurate drug or oxygen delivery.
  • Poor communication. Effective communication between the surgical team is critical. Miscommunication about patient history, drug dosages, or other important information can lead to severe complications.

Common Injuries Caused by Anesthesia Errors

Even when anesthesia errors do not cause death, they can lead to severe complications. Common injuries associated with anesthesia errors include:

  • Paralysis. Nerve damage caused by improper administration of anesthesia can result in loss of muscle control or sensation in specific areas of the body.
  • Coma. Improper oversight during surgery can lead to a lack of oxygen in the brain, which can cause a prolonged state of unconsciousness in which brain activity is diminished.
  • Seizures. Seizures during surgery can be caused by improper administration of anesthesia, dosage miscalculations, or hypersensitivity reactions to anesthetics. These conditions can disrupt brain activity or result in neurotransmitter imbalances, which can cause seizures.
  • Heart arrhythmia. Medication interactions, improper dosing, or the effect of anesthesia on the heart’s electrical system can disrupt the heart’s rhythm and lead to a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.
  • Loss of heart function. Anesthesia can disrupt the normal functioning of the heart, leading to decreased ability to pump blood. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, fluid buildup in the lungs, or inadequate blood circulation.

How Robenalt Law Can Help

If you were injured or someone you love died during surgery, an anesthesia error could be to blame. Robenalt Law can analyze your situation, help you evaluate your options, and fight for the compensation you and your family deserve. But you must act quickly. Most medical malpractice claims in Ohio are subject to a one-year statute of limitations. If you do not file a lawsuit in time, you could lose your right to seek justice.

Contact Robenalt Law Today

Robenalt Law has offices in Cleveland and Columbus and handles medical malpractice claims throughout Ohio and nationwide.

Call our Cleveland office at (216) 223-7535 or our new Columbus office at (614)-695-3800 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.

Categories: Medical Malpractice