You expect your surgeon or other doctor to be fully focused on your care. Your health and well-being should be their top priority, and you trust them to provide proper treatment without avoidable mistakes. Whether you are going in for a routine checkup, a scan, or some type of surgery, the doctor owes you a duty of care and should uphold the expected standards in the medical industry.
Unfortunately, doctors do sometimes make mistakes. These mistakes can sometimes be linked to cellphone use. Cellphones can distract doctors on the job much like they distract drivers on the road. A distracted doctor may be more likely to miss key details, overlook mistakes or make serious errors, such as prescribing the wrong medication or even operating on the wrong patient.
Cellphones can also be useful
Some people may argue that the solution is simply to ban cellphones in hospitals to eliminate distractions and protect patients. Cellphone bans have helped reduce distracted driving rates, so the same logic could apply to medical malpractice prevention.
However, cellphones also serve many legitimate purposes in medical settings. Doctors can use them to communicate with colleagues, consult specialists, access electronic health records or research medical information in real time. In many cases, these uses actually improve patient care.
Because phones are used for so many positive reasons, the risk of distraction persists. If you have suffered harm due to a doctor’s negligence, including cellphone-related distraction, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. Getting experienced legal guidance can help you determine whether you have a case.