Before Your Surgery: How to Make Sure Your Doctors and Hospital Prepare Properly

Surgery is in your near future and you’re feeling nervous. One mistake could cause years of suffering. Now is not the time for complacency; by paying attention to seemingly mundane details, you can ensure that hospital staff members are adequately prepared.

Check Hospital Ratings and Lawsuit History

How do Leapfrog and Consumer Reports (two of the most comprehensive providers of hospital ratings) grade the hospital you intend to visit? Specifically, what do they say about surgery? How likely are patients at your desired hospital to contract infections?

Lawsuit history can also provide valuable insight into the preparedness of your surgical team. Contact the medical licensing board to determine your surgeon’s history with medical malpractice cases.

Ask Questions

How experienced is your physician? Is your proposed surgery medically necessary? How long will recovery take? Somebody on your surgical team should be able to provide clear answers to these and other questions. As the experts at Johns Hopkins point out, a well-informed patient is more likely to be satisfied with surgical outcomes.

Remember, questions aren’t limited to elective surgeries; even if emergency surgery is warranted, you deserve accurate and in-depth information. Don’t proceed until you’ve received enough detailed answers to feel confident that your surgical team is prepared.

Bring an Assertive Friend or Family Member

As surgery nears, you may not be in the proper state of mind to observe surgical team practices. Bring a companion to advocate assertively on your behalf. This person can help you ask questions or take notes. Don’t be afraid to ask for support.

Do you suspect that hospital-based negligence is responsible for your suffering or the suffering of a loved one? Contact our Washington, D.C. medical malpractice attorneys at your earliest convenience to learn how you can obtain compensation and achieve justice.