What are the 9 Most Common Medical Errors?

When we visit a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office, we place our trust in healthcare professionals. We believe these trained individuals will treat us or our loved ones with skill, care, and compassion. In most cases, that trust is well-deserved. Medical professionals work tirelessly, often under immense pressure, to help people heal. However, as with any human endeavor, mistakes can happen. When those mistakes occur in a medical setting, the consequences can be devastating.

Medical errors are more common than most people realize. While many of these errors are small and quickly corrected, some can cause serious harm, long-term disability, and even death. 

If you or a loved one has been affected by a medical mistake, you deserve to understand what happened, why it happened, and what options you have moving forward. Knowing the most common types of medical errors can help you become a more informed patient and advocate for safer care.

Understanding Medical Errors

A medical error is a preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medical care, harm to a patient, or even death. These errors can occur at any stage of the healthcare process—from the initial diagnosis to the final follow-up appointment. They may involve doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians, and other members of the medical team. Sometimes, an error is the result of a single individual’s mistake; other times, it’s the product of a broken system, poor communication, or flawed processes.

It’s important to understand that not all unfortunate medical outcomes are the result of errors. Illnesses progress, some treatments fail, and even the most competent physicians cannot guarantee a perfect outcome. A medical error is different: it’s a slip, oversight, or omission that should never have happened. It is preventable harm.

Medical errors are a leading cause of injury and death. While exact numbers vary, some studies suggest that medical errors could be among the top causes of death nationwide. These statistics should serve as a wake-up call to everyone—healthcare workers, hospital administrators, and patients alike. Increased awareness and open communication about medical errors are key to preventing them.

2. Medication Errors

Medication errors can occur when the wrong drug is prescribed, the right drug is given at the wrong dose, or medications are mixed up due to similar names or packaging.

The wrong medication can cause severe side effects, allergic reactions, organ damage, and even death. Overdoses and underdoses can both be harmful and mixing incompatible drugs can have deadly consequences.

Examples:  

• A patient receives twice the intended dose of a powerful blood thinner.  


• A pharmacist misreads a prescription and fills it with a drug that sounds similar but has a very different effect.  


• A patient is discharged with a medication list that incorrectly instructs them to take a drug three times a day instead of once.

Prevention tips:  

• Always ask about new medications: what they’re for, how to take them, and possible side effects.  


• Keep a current list of all medications you take, including vitamins and supplements.  


• Double-check medication labels when picking them up from the pharmacy.

3. Surgical Errors

Surgery is a delicate procedure requiring precision and careful coordination. Surgical errors might involve performing the wrong procedure, operating on the wrong body part, leaving a surgical instrument inside the patient, or causing accidental damage to nearby organs.

Why it matters: Surgical errors can cause severe complications, life-threatening injuries, and long-term disability. They often lead to additional surgeries, prolonged hospital stays, and emotional trauma.

Examples:  

• A surgeon operates on the left knee instead of the right knee.  


• A surgical sponge is left inside a patient’s abdomen, causing infection and pain.  


• Nerves or organs are inadvertently damaged during the procedure.

Prevention tips:  

• Before surgery, confirm the procedure and the site with your surgeon.  


• Ask about the hospital’s safety protocols for preventing wrong-site surgery.  


• Ensure that your entire healthcare team knows exactly what you are scheduled for.

4. Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs)

Hospitals and clinics work diligently to keep their facilities clean, but pathogens can still spread. When germs are passed among patients, often due to poor hygiene or infection-control practices, serious infections can develop.

Patients recovering from surgery or living with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to infections they pick up in a medical setting. These infections can slow recovery, cause severe complications, and even lead to death.

Examples:  

• A patient develops a staph infection at the site of a surgical incision.  


• A catheter is not inserted or maintained correctly, leading to a urinary tract infection.

Prevention tips:  

• Don’t hesitate to ask if a doctor or nurse has washed their hands before examining you.  


• Follow all instructions for wound care after surgery.  


• Speak up if your room or medical equipment doesn’t look clean.

5. Birth Injuries and Maternal Care Errors

Pregnancy, labor, and delivery are delicate processes that require careful monitoring and timely interventions. Errors in prenatal care, during delivery, or shortly after birth can harm both mother and child.

Birth injuries can lead to lifelong disabilities for a baby or severe complications for the mother. Maternal errors can include not recognizing signs of distress, failing to perform a necessary C-section in time, or mismanaging anesthesia during labor.

Examples:  

• Failure to identify and treat preeclampsia or gestational diabetes.  


• Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors, causing head or brain injuries to the newborn.  


• Not monitoring fetal heart rate changes and delaying critical interventions.

Prevention tips:  

• Ensure you receive regular prenatal care and follow your doctor’s instructions closely.  


• Ask about the labor and delivery team’s experience and approach to managing complications.  


• Don’t be afraid to speak up during labor if you feel something is wrong.

6. Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesia must be precisely measured and carefully monitored. Errors might include giving too much or too little anesthesia, failing to consider a patient’s allergies, or not properly monitoring a patient’s vital signs during surgery.

Too little anesthesia can cause severe pain or distress during surgery, while too much can lead to dangerous drops in blood pressure, organ damage, or even brain injury. Allergic reactions to anesthetic drugs can also be life-threatening.

Examples:  

• A patient wakes up during surgery because of insufficient anesthesia.  


• A patient with an undiagnosed allergy receives an anesthetic that causes a severe reaction.

Prevention tips:  

• Be honest about your medical history, including allergies, before surgery.  


• Ask to meet your anesthesiologist, and don’t hesitate to ask questions about their plan.  


• Make sure all team members know your full medication list.

7. Errors in Testing and Lab Results

Diagnostic tests, blood work, and imaging are critical tools in identifying a patient’s condition. Errors can occur if a test is not performed correctly, results are interpreted incorrectly, or lab samples are mislabeled or lost.

Accurate test results guide treatment. Errors can lead to unnecessary treatments, missed opportunities for early intervention, or delayed care.

Examples:  

• A patient’s lab results are mixed up with another person’s.  


• A radiologist misreads an X-ray and fails to identify a fracture.

Prevention tips:  

• Ask how long it will take to receive test results and when to expect follow-up.  


• If the results don’t align with what you’re experiencing, consider seeking a second opinion.  


• Keep track of which tests you’ve had and confirm that the results match your records.

8. Communication Failures

Communication among healthcare providers is key. Errors may occur when a specialist’s report never reaches your primary doctor, a nurse misreads a chart, or a doctor’s instructions are not clearly relayed to the patient.

Good communication ensures that everyone involved in your care knows what to expect, which treatments are in place, and what to watch out for. Poor communication can lead to confusion, duplicate tests, missed treatments, or harmful drug interactions.

Examples:  

• A nurse does not pass along critical information during a shift change.  


• A patient is discharged without clear instructions on how to care for their surgical wound.

Prevention tips:  

• Be your own advocate. Ask questions if something is not clear.  


• Keep your own written list of instructions, medications, and follow-ups.  


• Ask for a summary of your care plan before leaving the hospital or clinic.

9. Radiological Errors

Radiologists and technicians must accurately capture and interpret images from X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds. Errors might include poor-quality images, misinterpretation of findings, or missing subtle signs of illness.

Imaging studies are often critical in diagnosing conditions like fractures, tumors, organ damage, and more. Radiological errors can delay proper treatment, prompt unnecessary treatments, or lead to incorrect surgeries.

Examples:  

• A small tumor in the lung goes unnoticed on a chest X-ray.  


• A fracture is not seen on the initial imaging and is left untreated.

Prevention tips:  

• If you receive a serious diagnosis based on imaging, consider getting a second read of the scans.  


• Ask about the radiologist’s experience and if a specialist is available for complex cases.

Common Reasons Medical Errors Happen

Medical settings are fast-paced, complex environments. Doctors and nurses may work long shifts, handle dozens of patients each day, and juggle enormous amounts of information. Under such conditions, even the most careful and dedicated professionals can make mistakes.

Some of the common reasons behind medical errors include:

• Miscommunication: Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and technicians must all be on the same page. A missed phone call, an unread chart note, or a misunderstood verbal instruction can lead to harmful mistakes.


• Fatigue and Overwork: Healthcare professionals often work long hours with few breaks. Exhaustion can affect judgment, concentration, and attention to detail.


• Incomplete Information: If a healthcare provider doesn’t have your complete medical history, accurate medication list, or test results, they may make incorrect assumptions.


• Inadequate Training or Resources: Sometimes healthcare providers are asked to perform tasks without the proper training, or they may lack the necessary equipment or staff support.


• Systemic Issues: Hospital systems that are poorly organized, rely on outdated technology, or fail to enforce safety protocols can increase the likelihood of errors.

By addressing these underlying factors, healthcare institutions can reduce the risk of mistakes, and patients can have more confidence in their care.

What to Do If You Suspect a Medical Error

Medical errors are deeply distressing, especially when they worsen an already difficult situation. If you or someone you love has been affected, consider taking these steps:

1. Document Everything: Keep detailed records of your symptoms, treatments, and interactions with healthcare providers. Ask for copies of medical records, test results, and prescriptions.


2. Seek a Second Opinion: If something feels off about your diagnosis or treatment, don’t hesitate to consult another doctor. A fresh perspective may confirm (or challenge) the initial findings.


3. Report Concerns: Hospitals and clinics often have quality assurance departments. If you believe an error occurred, report it to ensure they investigate the issue.


4. Contact Legal Help: Medical errors can lead to lifelong consequences—from physical pain to financial hardships due to lost wages and mounting medical bills. Legal professionals experienced in medical malpractice cases can help you understand your rights and options.

Contact a Trusted Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Medical mistakes can be overwhelming, but you deserve answers and justice. At Goodman Acker P.C, we understand the immense burden these situations place on families. Our compassionate personal injury lawyers are here to help you fight for accountability and the compensation you need to recover. 

If you believe you or a loved one has been harmed by a medical error, contact us today at (248) 831-1507 or through our online form for a free and confidential consultation.