When facing the prospect of surgery, the easiest thing to do would be to let the doctor and medical staff do all the thinking and trust that they are on top of what is going on. But if you are having a surgical procedure performed, then you are the one with the most at stake.
A proactive approach to gathering information about a procedure you are going to have could help ensure that no errors are committed and your surgery is a success. What follows are some recommended steps that you can take to involve yourself in the process.
- Get clarification on why the surgery is necessary. Inquire if there are any alternatives. Find out what could happen if you opt against having the procedure.
- Find out if the surgeon has board certification in the area of treatment specific to your needs. Ask about your doctor’s previous experiences in carrying out the exact procedure you are planning to have.
- Get information on the surgical team. You should be apprised of who is working on the procedure and how much experience they have.
- Make sure you do not develop an infection. Find out if you require antibiotics prior to surgery and make sure the staff is aware that they need to issue them.
- When recovering at home, do what you can to keep nausea and pain to a minimum as they can cause delays in the healing process. Follow your discharge instructions carefully.
Being proactive is important and can help to ensure a safe and successful surgical outcome. But ultimately, the medical professionals are the ones who must perform up to standard. A surgical error could end up leaving you in a condition worse than before the operation.
If you are harmed due to some form of negligence on behalf of your doctor, you have reason to consider the pursuit of compensation. An Arizona medical malpractice attorney may be able to help you in securing the level of compensation appropriate to the injuries you have suffered.