Connecticut Hospital Negligence: Patient Distrust of Digital Medical Records

The development of new technologies has not bypassed the healthcare industry. In fact, Connecticut hospitals utilize digital medical records to keep track of patient health history and treatments. This use of technology in healthcare has created patient mistrust with 70% of patients in December 2016 not trusting health care technology. This number rose from only 10% mistrust in 2014.

Patients may have a right to be wary. A medical records mishap can have lasting effects, including the most dire. Injuries sustained from these types of mix-ups could include operating on the wrong body part, following a do not resuscitate order for the wrong patient, ordering drugs when a person has allergies, and so many more.

Misidentification of a patient is quite serious and could be considered Connecticut hospital negligence. If you or a loved one are scheduled for a procedure at a hospital or health facility, you can do the following to minimize misidentification:

1. Upon registration at a healthcare facility or hospital, have the registration person repeat your full name, date of birth and address. This seems very basic, however there have been instances where patients with the same name and date of birth have been mixed-up.
2. Prior to a procedure, make sure the staff reconfirms your identity as well as repeating the procedure you or your loved one are scheduled for.
3. If you have any drug allergies, make sure you repeat them as you deem necessary.
4. If a surgeon or physician has prescribed a treatment plan, reconfirm with the nurse prior to receiving any medications, if possible.

If you or your loved one were injured as the result of your stay in a hospital, find out if you have a medical malpractice case.