When Does an Adverse Reaction to Anesthesia Qualify as Doctor Error?

Anesthesia allows patients to undergo surgeries and procedures without pain. Most of us take for granted that anesthesia will do its job smoothly and safely. And while that’s true in most cases, adverse reactions can happen.

But when does an adverse reaction to anesthesia qualify as a doctor’s error? We will take a closer look at what responsibilities anesthesiologists and other medical professionals have when it comes to keeping you safe.

The Role of Anesthesia in Medical Care

Anesthesia is not one-size-fits-all. These professionals perform a careful balance act that depends on the type of procedure, the kind of anesthesia, and your medical history.

While the risks are usually minimal, allergies, underlying conditions, or how your body reacts can increase the chance of complications.

The anesthesiologist’s job is to assess your risks, administer anesthesia appropriately, and monitor you throughout the procedure.

They’re your safeguard. But when corners are cut, or mistakes are made, patients can suffer.

The Difference Between an Adverse Reaction and Doctor Error

Not every bad reaction to anesthesia is someone’s fault. Sometimes, even with the best preparation, the unexpected happens.

However, there are also cases where a doctor’s mistake plays a role. Here’s how to tell the difference.

Was There a Proper Preoperative Assessment?

Before any procedure, your anesthesiologist should look at your medical history in depth. They need to review:

• Past surgeries
• Allergies
• Any conditions that might put you at higher risk for a reaction

For example, if you have a history of malignant hyperthermia, and the anesthesiologist misses it or ignores it, that is a serious oversight. Along with that, if they do not ask about medications you are taking that could interact with anesthesia, it could lead to complications.

A rushed or incomplete assessment can lead to problems, especially when there are clear warning signs in a patient’s history.

Were There Mistakes During the Procedure?

Anesthesia requires precision. A slight miscalculation in dosage or a lapse in monitoring can cause serious health concerns. Some common errors include:

• Giving the wrong dose: Too much anesthesia can suppress vital functions like breathing, while too little can lead to a patient partially waking up during surgery.
• Failing to monitor vital signs: An anesthesiologist’s job does not end once the anesthesia is administered. They must constantly monitor heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure. It is their job to catch and address issues in real-time.
• Using contaminated equipment: Sterility is vital. If unclean equipment leads to an infection, that is a preventable mistake.

According to a study on the National Library of Medicine website, 17,116 anesthetic errors were reported between 2007 and 2014.  When errors like these occur, they lead to harm. Under these circumstances, they are no longer just an “unfortunate reaction” but a case of negligence.

Were You Properly Informed?

Doctors are required to explain the risks of anesthesia to you before your procedure. This is part of informed consent. If your anesthesiologist fails to disclose potential risks or skips over important details, you might not be prepared to make decisions about your care.

Here are all scenarios that can lead to medical errors.

What Is Considered Malpractice?

Doctor errors can lead to harm. In these cases, your healthcare provider must have acted negligently in order for you to have a legal case.

If you or a loved one has had an adverse reaction to anesthesia, proving that a doctor was at fault involves looking at a few key elements:

Was the Standard of Care Followed?

The law requires healthcare professionals to act as a competent person would in similar circumstances. If they don’t follow standard procedures or ignore important information, that is a breach of their duty of care.

Did the Mistake Cause Harm?

Just because an error occurred, that does not mean it caused your adverse reaction. But, if an anesthesiologist gave you the wrong drug and you had a severe allergic reaction, the connection is clear.

What Were the Damages?

Harm can take many forms: physical pain, emotional trauma, or even financial costs like medical bills or lost wages. To pursue a claim, there must be evidence of measurable harm caused by the error.

Anesthesia makes surgery safer and more manageable. It should not introduce unnecessary risks. While most adverse reactions are rare and unavoidable, there are times when preventable mistakes cause them.

If your anesthesiologist or medical team acted in a negligent manner, you may be able to take legal action. A medical malpractice lawyer can review the case to see if you have a valid claim.

At the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp, we can help you explore your options.