Having a child who is ill or has just been diagnosed with a serious medical condition can create a feeling of helplessness in a parent. As a parent, you want to do anything and everything in your power to help your child. Parents often report feeling at their most helpless when their child is admitted to a hospital. When your child has been hospitalized for an illness or is due to undergo surgery, it can be very difficult to know that your child’s health is in someone else’s hands. Parents worry about the things that could wrong while their child is in the hospital, which only adds to the feelings of being powerless. The good news is that there are things parents can do to safeguard their child and help ensure that they receive the best possible medical services—free from error. The following are five things parents can do to protect their children from medical mistakes:
- Educate yourself. One of the most important things a parent can do is to educate themselves about their child’s illness or medical condition. Learn as much as you can through reputable websites and publications about the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options. Never be afraid to ask questions of your child’s doctors to get the answers you need to make informed decisions.
- Find a doctor that you trust. Finding a good doctor can be tricky. Sometimes the only thing more difficult is finding one you trust. It is important to find a doctor that is open to hearing your questions and offering detailed explanations. If your child’s doctor does not have your trust—do not hesitate to obtain a second opinion. A second opinion is always a good idea for major diagnoses and operations.
- Take notes regarding medications. Make sure you understand the treatment that your child’s doctor has recommended, including any medications he or she has prescribed along with the dosing instructions. You should know not only the name of the medication but also know why it is being prescribed. When you pick up your child’s medication at the pharmacy, confirm with the pharmacist that the medication is the same as the one prescribed by your child’s doctor. Wrong medication and wrong dose are both common medication errors.
- Make allergies and medications known. If your child is taking any medications or supplements or has an allergy to any medications, make sure that this is known to each and every doctor, pharmacist, and nurse your child encounters. The same is true if your child has a chronic health condition. Do not make the assumption that because you told one doctor or nurse, that this information is known to all.
- Be involved. Do not be afraid to be Mama Bear or Papa Bear when it comes to being involved in your child’s medical care. Parents who are involved in their child’s care are not only more likely to see better results but can also prevent medical mistakes from occurring.
If you believe that your child was a victim of medical malpractice, it is of great importance that you seek out an experienced Kansas City Medical Malpractice Attorney right away. Medical malpractice cases require an attorney that has key knowledge of the law and team dedicated to investigating the facts. The Medical Malpractice Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have helped countless victims around the area, both in Kansas and Missouri. Our Attorneys know what it takes to prove a case. To find out how the attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help you, contact our office today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule a consultation. At Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. we will preserve to obtain justice for your family.