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Is Being Discharged Early Medical Malpractice?
Being sent home early from the hospital can be just as detrimental as other medical mistakes. If you are sent home while you have a serious medical condition, that means you don’t have access to immediate medical care if some kind of problem pops up. Because of this, being sent home on an early discharge can sometimes be a valid reason for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
The Most Common Early Discharge Cases
The most common type of early discharge case relates to infants. There are many different problems that are common in the first days of life for a child and many of those issues have severe consequences. This is why it is considered best for a child to remain in the hospital for at least 48 hours after birth. Babies that are experiencing issues may require an even longer stay. The following guidelines are typically followed to determine when a child can be discharged:
- Stable and normal vital signs for at least 12 hours straight
- Spontaneous passage of one or more stools as well as urination
- Screening for hearing
- Assessment of environmental, social, and family risk factors
However, not all early discharge cases deal with infants. Adults may also be adversely affected by being discharged too early.
Readmission Under Emergency Circumstances
In many cases involving early discharge, the patient ends up readmitted into the hospital due to emergency circumstances. Something to keep in mind is that this sort of medical malpractice case does not require that the hospital is negligent during readmission. In most cases, the patient has already suffered damage prior to going back to the hospital.
How to Prove Medical Malpractice
Looking at every possibility for various cases involving a wrongful discharge isn’t possible, but all cases tend to be analyzed by the courts in the same manner. You will be expected to prove that the health care provider was medically negligent, and that harm was caused by the negligence that occurred.
What to Do Next
If you want to win a lawsuit involving medical malpractice, proving negligence from harm is what you need to do. Keep in mind that this harm can include the cost of your medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages, and loss of ability to appreciate pleasures in life. Ready to start your claim? The professionals at Barovick Law can put you on the right path.