Before a Surgery, Ask the Surgeon about Concurrent Surgeries

Having any type of surgery is a nerve-wracking experience - even if it’s a “routine” procedure. The truth of the matter is that no surgery is routine from the perspective of a patient, and every time you have surgery you are literally putting your life in the hands of the surgeon performing the procedure and his or her medical team. For this reason, it’s critical that you ask your surgeon about all the risks associated with your procedure - as well as the controversial practice known as “concurrent surgeries.”

What are Concurrent Surgeries?

You might be under the completely understandable and reasonable impression that your surgeon would be performing your procedure from beginning to end. If the institution where your surgery is taking place engages in the practice of concurrent surgeries, there’s a good chance that your impression would be incorrect.

Scheduling concurrent surgeries involves scheduling procedures to overlap one another so that one procedure is wrapping up while another one is starting. When this occurs, the actual surgeon who is performing a procedure typically only performs the key elements, leaving other, typically less experienced, surgeons to do the rest.

Concurrent Surgeries Can Put Patients at Risk

When the surgeon who is responsible for performing a procedure comes and goes while it is in progress, it can put helpless patients at a significant risk of injury. These risks arise from the following conditions:

● Less experienced surgeons may not be qualified to perform certain steps of a procedure

● Some procedures may simply be too complicated for any part of it to be performed without the supervision of an experienced surgeon

● When surgeons leave the room to start another procedure, they may not be able to get back in time should an emergency or unexpected complication arise

Protecting Your Rights after an Adverse Surgical Outcome

In the unfortunate event that you have had an adverse outcome after undergoing a surgical procedure, there are certain steps you should take to protect your legal rights. These include:

● Collect and keep all documentation you have regarding your procedure, including your medical records and patient consent forms.

● Keep notes about how your injuries are affecting you on a daily basis. Note issues like pain, difficulty sleeping, feelings of depression or anxiety, or social events you need to skip.

● Do not discuss your case with the hospital, the surgeon’s insurance company, or anyone else before you have had a chance to speak to a lawyer. In addition, do not accept a settlement offer before taking to an attorney.

● Discuss your case with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you can.

Call Us Today to Speak with Los Lunas Medical Malpractice Attorney

If you have been injured during surgery or other while receiving any medical care, you should speak to an attorney as soon as you can. At David C. Chavez Law Firm, we have more than 40 years of experience helping injured victims recover compensation and will review the facts of your case for free. To schedule a free consultation with a medical malpractice lawyer in Los Lunas, call our office today at 505-865-9696 or contact us online.