Hospital patients are often at least partially immobilized after undergoing a medical procedure. Even a relatively minor operation like minor knee surgery can leave a person bedridden for a short time. When a person is unable to move regularly, there is a chance of blood clots developing in the large veins within their arms and legs. If these clots break loose and travel through the body, they can end up in the patient’s lungs and cause serious medical complications or death. This is called a pulmonary embolism.
Many of the blood clots that people develop during their hospital stay could be easily prevented. Unfortunately, medical professionals often don’t even discuss the possibility of blood clots with their patients after a procedure. Only about half of the people who are at risk of such complications receive any kind of treatment to prevent their development. As a result of this neglect, about 25,000 Americans die from pulmonary embolism each year, making it the number one cause of preventable hospital deaths in the country (and many other countries as well).
There are some simple treatments that can help a recovering patient avoid falling victim to a blood clot. The first and easiest preventative measure is to get up and walk around, if you can. Simply moving around from time to time can improve circulation and stop clotting. If walking is not an option, another method to improve circulation is to wear special compression tights. In situations where a person is at higher risk of clots, they may be given a blood thinner that will keep things running smoothly. Some of the factors that can increase the risk of blood clots are: smoking, obesity, pregnancy and cancer.
The medical professionals who oversee your recovery have a responsibility to inform you of the risks you face while you are in the hospital. If you are not informed of the possibility of a blood clot and the steps you can take to prevent it, your doctor could be liable for his or her negligence and for the damages you have suffered. If you have been harmed, or if a loved one has suffered or died from a preventable blood clot, you may want to consider filing a wrongful death or medical malpractice lawsuit.
For more information, visit the Waukesha Habush Habush & Rottier, SC Personal Injury Lawyers website.