Common Resuscitation Errors at Birth Due to Medical Malpractice
The birth of a child is an emotional and life changing moment for the parents to be. While most labor and deliveries occur without incident, there are times when complications can arise. One complication that can occur during delivery and birth of a baby is the the need to resuscitate. Some of these complications may be unavoidable, while other complications can be avoided. When complications occur as the result of a physician or other healthcare provider’s error, this is known as negligence. Avoidable birth complications should never occur. While any person is capable of making mistakes, health care providers receive special training to gain the knowledge needed to perform their roles safely. This is to prevent resuscitation errors at birth in Oregon to avoid wrongful death.
What is Resuscitation and When is Resuscitation Indicated?
Resuscitation is the act of reviving a person who is not breathing. Resuscitation of a newborn is indicated when an infant is not breathing at birth, or is in severe respiratory distress. There are many ways an infant may be resuscitated, including the following:
- Stimulation of the infant – this involves drying the baby, warming the baby, flicking the baby’s feet or rubbing the baby’s back to stimulate breathing
- Suctioning of the airway – Suctioning of the airway is often used to help the baby breathe better, as amniotic fluid can block the airway
- Oxygen administration – This is used in circumstances in which an infant is not maintaining adequate oxygen levels
- Manual ventilation – A bag-mask is needed when an infant is not breathing spontaneously
- CPR – this is needed in cases where the heart rate drops below 60 beats per minute
- Medication – Medications may be used such as epinephrine to aid in resuscitation
- Mechanical ventilation – This is used in very serious circumstances in which other resuscitation methods are not effective, or it is known that the baby will require mechanical ventilation (i.e ventilator) to aid with breathing
How Can Resuscitation Errors Be Due to Medical Malpractice?
- Failing to monitoring the baby during labor and delivery, thus missing signs of distress prior to delivery
- Failing to recognize the infant is in need of resuscitation efforts, leading to worsening respiratory distress as well as other complications
- Errors made while trying to intubate the infant, such as perforation of the trachea or bleeding
- Unqualified staff being present to deliver the baby, not in the presence of more trained and experience staff members
Complications Due to Resuscitation Errors
Complications can arise due to resuscitation errors. This is because inadequate ventilation leads to a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain. Additionally, failing to recognize when a baby is in distress during labor and delivery can lead to respiratory compromise. Babies who are not resuscitated properly in a timely manner can face severe complications, such as significant brain damage, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, physical disabilities or even wrongful death. Errors should never occur when it comes to resuscitating an infant, nor is it acceptable to fail to identify when a newborn is in distress during labor and delivery. Resuscitation errors at birth in Oregon can result in serious personal injuries and be devastating.
Ask our Medical Malpractice Lawyers for Help Due to Resuscitation Errors at Birth in Oregon
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
