Critical Consequences: How Communication Errors Lead to Medical Malpractice

Effective communication among healthcare providers is crucial to delivering accurate diagnoses and treatment. When this communication breaks down, patients can suffer harm. If you or a loved one has been adversely affected by communication errors in healthcare, you don't have to bear the burden alone. HHP Law Group's medical malpractice attorneys are here to assess your case for legal action and pursue rightful compensation, holding negligent parties accountable for their actions.

Communication Errors as a Cause of Medical Malpractice

Communication errors represent a significant contributor to poor-quality healthcare, patient harm, and medical malpractice. When healthcare providers fail to effectively communicate with each other or the patient, it can result in a lack of coordination and the patient's needs slipping through the cracks.

A study conducted by medical safety experts at CRICO Strategies underscores the gravity of this issue, revealing that communication failures in healthcare played a role in 30 percent of medical malpractice cases. Out of the 23,658 malpractice cases examined, 7,000 were attributed to communication errors. Tragically, 1,744 patients lost their lives as a result.

Examples from the study include cases where:

• A nurse failed to alert a surgeon that after an operation, the patient had both abdominal pain and decreasing red blood cell levels — clear signs of possible internal bleeding.

• A diabetic patient made several calls to his doctor’s office, but the messages weren’t relayed to the patient’s primary care provider. The patient was never called back and later died from ketoacidosis.

• A woman who thought her tubes had been tied after giving birth through a C-section, got pregnant and gave birth yet again.

All three examples served as the basis for medical malpractice claims caused by communication errors.

Types of Communication Errors in Healthcare

Effective communication is important in healthcare, where patients' lives can often hang in the balance. The complex process of medical care involves multiple parties, and breakdowns in communication can occur at various stages.

Communication errors in healthcare typically fall into two categories: those between providers (doctors and nurses) and those between providers and patients.

Among healthcare professionals, communication errors include:

• Poor documentation

• Hospital staff failing to communicate important information about patients during shift changes

• Failure to review medical records adequately

• Miscommunication between lab technicians and physicians

• Radiology errors (misreading X-rays or MRI scans)

• Pharmacy errors or mistakes in administering medication

In comparison, examples of provider-to-patient communication errors include:

• Inadequate education about medication

• Failure to respond appropriately to a patient’s complaint

• Miscommunication regarding informed consent

• Incomplete follow-up

• No – or wrong – test results given to a patient

• Miscommunication or failure to communicate due to language barrier

When communication errors occur among healthcare parties, they can lead to misdiagnosis, medication errors, surgical mishaps, and other issues that pose significant harm to patients. In many medical cases, timely treatment is critical, making clear and effective communication an essential factor in ensuring patients receive the prompt care they require.

Why Do Communication Failures in Healthcare Happen?

Communication failures in healthcare settings can occur for various reasons, including heavy workload pressure, ineffective hospital protocols, conflicts among staff, language barriers, issues with electronic medical records (EMRs), and deficiencies in social skills. While interpersonal skills can play a role, systemic issues like understaffing and flawed protocols for symptom observation and recording are often at the root of the problem. 

EMRs and electronic health records (EHRs) are designed to address these issues by offering a comprehensive patient history. However, challenges arise when healthcare providers fail to input data accurately into the EMR or neglect to promptly share it with the relevant physicians.

How to Avoid Being a Victim of Communication Errors in Healthcare

Ensuring a smooth and safe hospital stay or medical procedure often involves having a trusted advocate by your side. This advocate, whether a family member or friend, should accompany you from the start to the finish of your hospitalization or appointment. 

This person should possess a deep understanding of your medical condition and the recommended treatment plan and be dedicated to asking questions whenever something seems amiss. Effective advocates must be ready to voice objections when necessary. Well-prepared advocates are armed with knowledge about your illness, the provided treatments, and the overseeing physician. 

With a vigilant advocate by your side, you can navigate your hospital stay or procedure with greater confidence, knowing that someone is actively looking out for your well-being and ensuring that your healthcare experience is as uneventful and safe as possible.

It's crucial to remember that medical malpractice cases can arise from communication failures in healthcare. If you've been a victim of substandard treatment, you have legal options. Reach out to HHP Law Group's medical malpractice attorneys, who are dedicated to guiding you through the legal process and holding accountable those responsible for your suffering. We are committed to securing the compensation you deserve and bringing justice to you and your family. Contact us today for a free consultation.