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Study Says Real-time Technology Can Assist Physicians Reduce Complications and Save Money

Unfortunately, medical malpractice takes place much more often than it should. If you or your family member suffered harm and you believe malpractice was the cause, you need to reach out to a skilled Baltimore medical malpractice attorney who can help. At Arfaa Law Group, we empathize with individuals and families who have suffered preventable harm as a result of a medical professional’s error or carelessness. You can rest assured that we can compassionately guide you through the entire legal process.

A recent study printed in the American Journal of Managed Care found that real-time technology allowed physicians to make good decisions in a timely manner and provide better care to patients at lower costs. The study was conducted by Dr. Harry C. Sax, executive vice chair of surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and a variety of other physicians, researchers, and companies.

The research team placed electronic reminders into the hospital’s electronic health records, highlighting for doctors in real time when their care guidelines departed from evidence-based medical guidelines. The team then evaluated what would happen to patients whose physicians followed all guidelines versus those whose physicians did not follow any of them. The study examined almost 26,500 patients admitted to Cedars-Sinai over a three-year time span.

The outcomes highlighted stark differences. The chances of problems increased by 29 percent for patients whose physicians failed to regularly follow the alerts, and the chances of hospital readmission was approximately 14 percent higher for these patients. For patients whose doctors failed to follow guidelines, the expenses were 7.3 percent higher and the length of stay for these patients was 6.2 percent longer than those whose doctors strictly adhered to the guidelines.

While technology can help decrease errors, the reality is that instances of medical malpractice remain far too common both in Maryland and across the United States. Even when working with modern technology, medical professionals are expected to perform according to a set of standards. They must use caution and abide by a certain standard of care. The standard of care refers to the level of care that a reasonably competent medical professional in the same specialty would use in the same situation. Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional failed to adhere to the standard of care, thereby causing injury or death to the patient.

Under Maryland law, if you have been injured due to medical negligence, you may be able to receive compensation for a variety of past, present, and future losses including, but not limited, to: medical bills, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, disability and disfigurement.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence or reckless behavior of a medical professional, you may be able to make a claim for compensation for your losses. At Arfaa Law Group, our hard working Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys will review your situation and help you decide how to best move forward. For a free case evaluation, please do not hesitate to call us 410-889-1850 or contact us online.

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