anesthesia

Anesthesia is the use of medication called “anesthetics” to keep us from feeling pain during a medical procedure. While anesthesia is a crucial component of modern medicine, as with any medical treatment, errors can and do occur and there may be a viable medical malpractice claim as a result. It is the responsibility of doctors and other health professionals to know what kind of anesthesia to use, and how much to give to their patients. In other words, they must follow the “standard of care.” The standard of care is what the average qualified medical provider would have done under the same circumstances.

There are three types of surgical anesthesia:

  1. Local Anesthesia: used to numb a particular spot or part of the body in less invasive procedures. Examples include a biopsy, mole removal, or stitches.
  2. Regional Anesthesia: used to numb a larger portion of the body. Examples include an epidural or spinal block.
  3. General Anesthesia: used to make patients temporarily unconscious, or “fall asleep” during surgeries and invasive procedures.

What Types of Anesthesia Errors Can Occur?

Administering local and regional anesthesia involves using a needle, which has risks of nerve damage if not performed properly.

General anesthesia mistakes can occur even before a surgery begins. For example, failing to give a patient proper pre-operative instructions, such as not eating or drinking for several hours before surgery, or avoiding alcohol, can have adverse side effects and can be life-threatening during the surgery.

Once the surgery begins, common anesthesia errors that occur include:

  • Incorrect dosage (too much, or too little);
  • Incorrect type of medication;
  • Failing to monitor the patient, notably their vital signs;
  • Improper intubation;
  • Prolonged sedation;
  • Inadequate post-anesthesia care; and
  • Failing to consider past medical history, including allergies.

Can There be Long-Term Effects from Anesthesia Errors?

The consequences of medical malpractice involving anesthesia can be serious and sometimes fatal. In addition to less-serious side effects such as chills, fatigue, or nausea (none of which would be significant enough to warrant a medical malpractice claim), long-term anesthesia-related injuries can include:

  • Severe allergic reactions, potentially leading to closure of airways, shock, or cardiac arrest;
  • Cardiovascular injury, including high blood pressure, arrythmias, and more serious cardiovascular injuries such as heart attack or stroke;
  • Asphyxia;
  • Brain Damage, post-operative cognitive deficiencies, or memory loss;
  • Respiratory damage;
  • Spinal cord injuries;
  • Nerve damage;
  • Coma; and
  • Death.

Injuries caused by anesthesia errors fall under the umbrella of “medical malpractice.” If malpractice can be proven, both medical providers and medical facilities may be liable for injuries caused. For further details on what a medical malpractice case entails can be found in our recent blog titled “What is Medical Malpractice in Massachusetts?”

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as a result of an anesthesia error, you may be entitled to compensation. SUGARMAN lawyers have decades of experience handling the complex nuances of medical malpractice cases. To learn more, speak to one of our medical malpractice attorneys today by calling 617-542-1000, emailing , or filling out our contact form.