It takes between seven and eight years of training to become a qualified anesthetist. They are the people that make the pain go away and allow medics to perform complicated surgery without torturing the patient. Yet these highly trained, vital elements of any surgical team still make mistakes from time to time.
Before any operation, the anesthetist must take the time to talk with you. They need to assess your health, discover your medical history and any allergies to drugs you have. Certain medical conditions can leave you at a higher risk of an adverse reaction.
Anesthetists have a choice of drugs they can use. They need to work out the appropriate drug and dosage for you. Everyone is different, so what works for one person could be fatal for another. Their job does not finish once the surgery is completed. They are responsible for ensuring you come back around and recover once the other medics have done their part.
These are some of the problems anesthesia errors can cause:
- Respiratory problems: If the anesthesia causes your throat to relax too much, you could struggle to breathe.
- Memory loss or learning difficulties: Older people who have had heart issues, Alzheimer’s or Parkinsons, are at higher risk.
- Malignant hyperthermia: This is a potentially fatal reaction. If you have had it, or heat stroke before, it is more likely to occur.
If you believe you have suffered harm due to the actions of an Ohio anesthetist, seek legal help. An experienced attorney can assess your chances of bringing a successful medical malpractice claim. These claims are never simple, yet anesthesia errors can complicate the rest of your life.