When Judie Burrows was taken to the hospital for hip surgery in 2009 after she fell off of her bike, neither she nor her family expected that was just the beginning. A few months later, she fell again and underwent a second hip surgery. This time, she lost half of her blood during the procedure and was left with permanent cognitive and physical damage.
It turns out that Burrow was on a blood-thinning medication during her surgery and that could have caused the massive blood loss. After the surgery, the ICU staff did nothing to handle her low blood pressure. What they are discovering now is that her medical records may have been falsified.
Her story is the focus of an HBO documentary titled “Bleed Out.” While we hope that the Burrows family can find closure with what happened, we know that medical mistakes like this are not uncommon. If you need a blood thinner malpractice attorney in Philadelphia, call The Weitz Firm, LLC today.
What Can Happen
If you have ever been on blood thinner medications then you know they are powerful and come with plenty of warnings. The dosages must be correct and there are certain medications that interact negatively with them.
These medications work to prevent blood from clotting. While this is great to prevent strokes and heart attacks, there are situations in which that can cause a problem. If you are injured, it will be harder for your body to stop bleeding naturally. In the case above, it appears that blood thinners may have caused serious surgical complications, something that doctors and surgeons should always be aware of before an operation begins. It is also something that must be monitored during and after the surgery.
How could a healthcare professional be to blame for blood thinner problems?
- Blood thinners must only be given at the correct dosage.
- These medications should only be prescribed to patients who are at risk of certain diseases and conditions. If they are given to patients who are low-risk, serious complications can occur.
- Doctors and surgeons must perform full patient histories and know what medications a patient is on before they perform a procedure.
Around 2 to 3 million people in the US on blood thinners. Considering that medical errors are now the third leading cause of death in the US, the chance for major complications to blood thinner medications is high.
What We Can Do
Doctors, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals should always be aware of the medications their patients are on and how they will interact with certain procedures. Blood thinners can save lives, but they are powerful drugs that can also cause major complications. If you or a loved one have been harmed due to the use of blood thinners and you think a healthcare professional is at fault, The Weitz Firm, LLC is ready to help. When you need a Philadelphia blood thinner malpractice attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.
