When patients in Oregon and elsewhere undergo surgery, there are many concerns and anxieties about it. Whether it is an elective, necessary or emergency surgery, patients trust the medical professionals performing the procedure. Thus, when a medical error occurs...
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Surgical Errors
Five mistakes doctors can make when performing a c-section
Some women in Oregon elect for health reasons to have a planned cesarean section, while others find they must have one when the labor process encounters problems. Either way, a c-section is a major operation, and as such, must be done with skill and care. The...
Pre-operative preparations can prevent surgical errors
Invasive surgical procedures can cause patients to experience long and difficult recoveries, even when their procedures are performed without incident. Across Oregon, patients undergo different surgeries each and every day to improve the quality of their lives. In...
Surgical errors linked to burnout by surgical residents
We all feel tired and overworked from time to time. Whether it is due to the demands of a professional life, personal life or a combination of both, feeling exhausted can impact a person in a wide range of ways. Focus, decision-making and performance could be...
When is it safest to undergo a surgical procedure?
American College of Surgeons data shows that the average person in this country undergoes just over nine surgeries during their lifetime. Many patients follow their doctor's recommendations and never get a second opinion. Patients also allow schedulers to decide when...
Wrong-site surgery and a pneumonectomy
No type of wrong-site surgery is minor to the patient. Even if the damage is not permanent, having a procedure carried out on the wrong location leads to pain and suffering, unnecessary time in the hospital, lost wages, high bills and many other complications.That...
Anesthesia doesn’t put you to sleep
If doctors are going to put you under general anesthesia, they'll often tell you that you'll be asleep for the procedure. They just do this to calm your nerves and make it sound more natural, however. The reality is that anesthesia does not put you to sleep.It puts...
Excessive blood loss during surgery
Some level of blood loss is to be expected during major surgery. There is no way to avoid it. The surgical team will then plan ahead to prevent blood loss and set up blood transfusions when necessary.That said, excessive blood loss is very dangerous and often fatal,...
Can you treat cancer with surgery?
People often talk about chemotherapy as one method of treating cancer, and it certainly is common. It is notorious for being hard on the body, as the chemo itself can make you feel sick -- as it destroys the cancer.It is important to note, though, that chemo is not...
Understanding C-section risks
A C-section is still major surgery. People often do not think of it that way since it is so common. However, it is a serious procedure that carries a high level of risk.This isn't to frighten you out of having one. At times, doctors choose to perform a C-section...