Exploring the Correlation Between Doctor Fatigue and Medical Mistakes In NJ

October 14, 2024

Prioritizing rest and well-being is not just a personal matter, but a critical component of providing safe and effective patient care. A fatigued doctor’s mistake can cause severe health complications and even death.

Exploring the Correlation Between Doctor Fatigue and Medical Mistakes In New JerseyIn the world of healthcare, particularly in hospitals and emergency centers, medical professionals often work under high levels of pressure and fatigue with too little time to adequately rest and take care of their own well-being. Unfortunately, these fast-paced, high-pressure environments can lead to overtired doctors caring for vulnerable patients.

It is well-established that fatigue among doctors and instances of medical malpractice are highly correlated. Similar to an overworked truck driver drifting over into the next lane, when a doctor is overtired, it negatively affects their performance, cognitive function, and ability to make the best decisions. Whereas fatigue in other professions could lead to incorrect change at the grocery store or a mistake during a marketing presentation, when a doctor makes a medical mistake it can result in serious physical consequences to their patient and can even be fatal.

Tired Doctors and Tragic Consequences Highlight the Urgency of Addressing Fatigue

A 2020 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that if a physician worked longer than 24 hours in one shift, they were 36% more likely to make a serious medical mistake. If the physician is a resident, then they are 61% more likely to make diagnostic errors. These types of mistakes, which stem from a reduction in attention to detail, slower reaction times, and overall impaired judgment, can have a serious impact on patients. The consequences can range from incorrect diagnosis to improper treatment plans or dosage errors and more, resulting in poorer outcomes for patients, injuries, medical complications, side effects, and even death. Research published in 2016 in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that physician fatigue was linked to almost 98,000 deaths each year.

Negative Effects of Over-Tiredness on Doctors and Medical Practitioners

When the brain is fatigued, there is a negative impact on a person’s cognitive function, causing a reduced ability to recall information, concentrate, or process information. Specifically, brain scans reveal that when a person is overtired, their prefrontal cortex and parietal lobe actually show reduced brain activity and this makes it difficult for the person to focus, react quickly, or utilize their problem-solving skills. Of course, when a physician’s cognitive functions are impaired in these ways, it poses a serious risk to the safety of the patients they are treating.

Recognizing the Red Flags of Medical Negligence Related to Sleep Deprivation

It can be difficult for a patient to recognize when their doctor is fatigued, especially since the communication between a doctor and patient will often be second nature to the physician. So, whereas calculating proper dosages of pharmaceuticals or conducting a thorough evaluation of all relevant medical details might be things missed by a physician when overtired, they may very well be able to carry on a thoughtful conversation with a patient that sounds well-informed.

Still, there are usually some red flags present that patients should be aware of so they can be extra vigilant to spot signs of physician fatigue. One sign can be when a doctor provides inconsistent or contradictory information. For example, if at one appointment they provide a particular diagnosis or treatment plan but then change their recommendation without any explanation, this could be a sign of forgetfulness due to fatigue.

Another sign might be that the doctor is rushing through an appointment or evaluation and only providing vague and non-specific answers to your questions. If the doctor gives you the impression that they are too tired to engage in a meaningful conversation, then they may also be too tired to provide you with quality treatment and more likely to make mistakes.

Clues that your doctor is lacking attention to detail can include repeatedly requesting you to remind them of your medical history or current medications, or skipping important symptoms you are experiencing. It is common for doctors who are overtired to be more singularly focused on one issue or solution when they are too exhausted to thoroughly consider all options or analyze all of the relevant information.

Finally, one of the clearest signs of doctor fatigue may, unfortunately, be the consequences. If you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms following evaluation or treatment, then you may want to seek a second opinion. After surgery, it may be normal to experience some pain, but it is important to communicate openly with your medical team about any issues or side effects you are experiencing to ensure that there are no secondary issues and obtain the follow up care you need.

Steps to Take If You Suspect Negligence by a Drowsy Physician

If you suspect that you may be the victim of medical negligence, it is important to seek a second opinion from an independent medical provider and make an appointment to speak with a medical malpractice attorney. Doctors have a legal duty to provide you with a standard of care that is equivalent to that of a reasonable physician of comparable experience under the circumstances. If they fail to provide care at that level by doing something they should not have or failing to do something they should, then they may be liable for the resulting damages, even if their mistakes were unintentional and due to fatigue.

The Human Toll of Doctor Fatigue: Medical Errors and Patient Suffering

Legal Options if an Overly Tired Doctor's Substandard Care Caused Your Injuries in NJ As a result of their extensive medical education, training, and experience, doctors are held to a higher standard when it comes to the level of care they are required to provide. Whereas other types of injury cases apply the standard of a “reasonable person,” doctors are held to the standard of a reasonable doctor with their level of training and expertise. The law recognizes that mistakes made by treating physicians can be life-altering and, in some cases, life-ending.

When a patient is injured due to a doctor’s negligence, they are entitled to compensation for damages suffered as a result of the doctor’s breach of their duty of care to the patient. This can include damages for medical and therapy bills resulting from the doctor’s mistake, compensation for time off from work due to the patient’s injuries, and compensation for any temporary or permanent disability caused by the doctor’s negligence. The patient’s pain and suffering and other losses are also compensable in a medical malpractice action.

Take Legal Action Against Doctor Fatigue-Related Negligence in NJ With Experienced Attorneys

If you believe that doctor fatigue resulted in a medical mistake in your care, you have a right to take action and recover compensation for your damages. Proving negligence in a medical malpractice case is not a simple task, and it requires the expertise of a knowledgeable and skilled medical malpractice lawyer. At Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh, our talented team of attorneys has decades of experience handling cases of medical negligence and associated legal claims.

To reach a fair settlement or win your case at trial, our lawyers must first evaluate the strength of your claim by examining your medical records and a detailed account of what happened. Then, depending on the facts of your case, your case will need to be reviewed by a medical expert who will be helpful to establish your doctor’s liability for your injuries. Our attorneys can be crucial for determining and consulting with the specialized medical experts necessary for each case. The insurance company representing your doctor will look for every possible alternative explanation for your symptoms besides negligence by your doctor, including even questioning your own credibility. Therefore, our medical malpractice lawyers will build a comprehensive and persuasive case supported by medical evidence and expert testimony to show that the doctor’s duty of care was breached.

Please contact us today at 732-440-3950 for a consultation, and our team of seasoned medical malpractice attorneys will examine and evaluate your case. We assist clients throughout the Ocean County, Monmouth County, and Southern New Jersey area, including Manasquan, Eatontown, Long Branch, Neptune, Belmar, Holmdel, Middletown, Freehold, Toms River, and Red Bank.



Categorised in: Medical Malpractice