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April 20, 2019
The Weitz Firm, LLC

When the big push for a move to electronic medical records was made more than a decade ago, many people breathed a sigh of relief. Electronic medical record keeping is supposed to ensure that we can move seamlessly from doctor to doctor and our records will be accurate and intact. However, a new study has found that the rules related to e-recordkeeping may be causing patients harm.

At the Weitz Firm, we know that your health is important. The last thing you need to go through is a medical mistake made by a healthcare professional. However, if an injury happens and you need a medical negligence lawyer Philadelphia PA, call us today so we can work on getting the compensation you deserve.

Mistakes Happen Too Often

Johns Hopkins researchers shocked the country when they determined that medical mistakes were the third leading cause of death in the United States. Some estimates put the annual death toll at 440,000 people a year.

We also know that millions of other people experience medical mistakes and live, leaving them dealing with numerous complications in the aftermath.

Electronic records are supposed to cut down on medical mistakes, but we are learning that they may actually be the cause of many of them. The former FDA commissioner, Scott Gottlieb said that poorly designed electronic health records systems were “a risk for patients.”

Some examples of errors that have occurred are:

  • Infant overdosed due to medications being entered incorrectly
  • Cancer not being diagnosed because a file was sent to the wrong location
  • An ER patient died while caregivers struggled to find his information

One ER doctor who faced a lawsuit for making a computer error said that the government forced electronic system implementation so fast that doctors had no clue how they actually worked. Some research suggests that one-third of patient safety problems can be linked to electronic medical records.

In the rush to adapt to technology, patients need to be aware of all of this when they go see their doctors. Ask about your electronic records. You have a right to see that information. In an emergency, it needs to be correct. When you are with a doctor, ensure that they know what is going on with you. Let them know if you have concerns about e-records. The system is nowhere near perfect and mistakes will continue to happen.

What An Attorney Can Do

You may not think you have any options if you are injured due to a mistake made by a healthcare professional, but you do. At The Weitz Firm, we are here to help. Our qualified and experienced team will work tirelessly to secure the compensation you need in the aftermath of an incident, including:

  • Compensation for all medical expenses related to the mistake
  • Coverage of lost wages if you cannot work
  • Loss of enjoyment of life damages
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Punitive damages against the people responsible


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