Yes, nearly every surgical procedure comes with certain risks. Even so, it is up to the doctors in charge of your care to minimize or eliminate those risks, especially if you suffer from a health condition or some other malady that increases those risks.
A common post-surgical complication is the threat of a pulmonary embolism. If medical personnel fail to take the proper precautions before, during and after your procedure to protect you from this eventuality as much as possible, it could constitute medical malpractice.
A pulmonary what?
The blood supply to your lungs flows through your pulmonary artery. If it a blockage occurs, ordinarily due to a blood clot, you could suffer a pulmonary embolism. The clot travels through the artery and blocks normal blood flow to your lungs.
How would I know?
The symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include the following:
- Dizziness
- Increased or irregular heartbeat
- Sharp, stabbing chest pain that may worsen when inhaling
- Rapid breathing
- Inability to catch your breath
- Coughing that may include mucous and blood or just blood
If the situation becomes serious enough, you could lose consciousness, go into shock or go into cardiac arrest. You could die without immediate medical attention.
Can doctors treat it?
Doctors use treatments including blood thinning drugs, clot busting drugs and oxygen therapy. You may also need treatment for shock. You may have to take medications for at least three months in order to help ensure that the situation completely resolves.
Could it have been prevented?
It’s possible to prevent a pulmonary embolism through appropriate medical measures. Compression therapies such as compression socks force blood to flow into your deep veins, which should keep blood from pooling in your legs and causing an obstruction such as a blood clot. Blood thinning medications may also help but could be risky if you undergo a surgical procedure. Lifestyle changes may also prevent this condition from occurring.
Your doctors should assess your overall health condition, along with any specific medical maladies you suffer from, in order to determine your risk of pulmonary embolism. If your doctor fails to determine your risk and you don’t receive the proper monitoring and post-surgery care, you may suffer harm.
If your doctors, surgeons, nurses and other medical personnel attending to you fail to meet the appropriate standard of care, you may have a claim for medical malpractice. Drawing attention to medical mistakes through such claims could provide you with the compensation you deserve and possibly save the life of another patient. You may have survived your ordeal, but the next patient who doesn’t receive the proper care may not be as lucky.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pulmonary Embolism and Medical Malpractice
What is a pulmonary embolism and why is it a recognized surgical risk?
A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a blood clot, most often originating in the deep veins of the legs, travels through the bloodstream and lodges in an artery supplying the lungs, blocking normal blood flow. Surgical procedures increase the risk of PE because reduced mobility during and after surgery allows blood to pool and clot in the legs. The risk is compounded by certain existing health conditions, extended periods of immobilization, and the physiological stress of the procedure itself. Because a large pulmonary embolism can be rapidly fatal, prevention and early detection are critical responsibilities of any surgical care team.
What should doctors do to prevent a pulmonary embolism after surgery?
Established clinical protocols for reducing post-surgical PE risk include the use of compression stockings or sequential compression devices to keep blood moving through the legs, prophylactic anticoagulation medication for higher-risk patients, early patient ambulation where clinically appropriate, and ongoing monitoring for signs of deep vein thrombosis. Before surgery, providers are expected to assess each patient’s individual risk factors, including prior clotting history, cardiovascular health, body weight, and the nature of the planned procedure. Failure to assess risk and apply appropriate preventive measures in a timely manner may fall below the applicable standard of care.
How can hospital negligence contribute to a fatal pulmonary embolism?
Negligent care may contribute to a pulmonary embolism in several ways. A provider may fail to conduct a pre-operative risk assessment that would have identified a patient as high-risk, omit prophylactic anticoagulation for a patient who clearly warranted it, fail to instruct or assist a patient in early mobilization post-surgery, or miss the warning signs of a developing deep vein thrombosis before it progresses to a PE. Post-operatively, failure to respond promptly to symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and an elevated heart rate may also allow a treatable situation to become fatal. Whether any specific failure constitutes actionable negligence depends on the full clinical record and the applicable standard of care.
What legal options do patients or families have after a pulmonary embolism caused by inadequate care?
Patients who survive a pulmonary embolism they believe was caused by inadequate medical care, as well as families of those who did not survive, may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim in Texas. Such a claim can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and in cases of wrongful death, the family’s losses. Establishing a viable claim requires demonstrating that the care provided fell below the applicable standard and that this failure was a cause of the harm. A Houston medical malpractice attorney can evaluate the facts and help families understand whether their situation may support legal action.
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice claim in Texas for a pulmonary embolism?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for most medical malpractice claims is two years from the date of the negligent act or omission that caused the harm. For wrongful death claims arising from medical negligence, the two-year period generally runs from the date of death. Texas additionally requires that a Chapter 74 expert report be served on each defendant within 180 days of filing a lawsuit. Because gathering medical records, consulting with qualified medical professionals, and preparing a compliant claim all take time, contacting a Texas medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible after the injury or death is strongly advisable.
