Babies who are born prematurely often have breathing issues, as well as
other conditions, and may require admission into the hospital’s
neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for additional care and close monitoring.
This is a frightening time for any parent, especially because newborns
are often rushed to the NICU with very little explanation as to what is going on.
Continue reading Medical Errors
According to a new study published in the BMJ — formerly the British
Medical Journal — researchers have determined that
medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States [1],
trailing only heart disease and cancer. Based on the results of the study,
medical errors result in the death of roughly 251,000 people each year.
That is over 100,000 more than the next highest leading causes of death,
respiratory disease (147,000), accidents (136,000), and stroke (133,000).
Continue reading The Third Leading Cause of Death in the U.S.
One of the greatest advances in the field of obstetrics has been the development
of electronic fetal heart monitoring. It allows clinicians to evaluate,
in real time, the adequacy of fetal oxygenation.
Continue reading The Importance of Fetal Heart Monitoring
The position of the baby in the uterus is referred to as its “presentation.”
It is important that obstetricians or midwives monitor the baby’s
presentation as pregnancy approaches term to determine whether it is in
the correct position for vaginal delivery, or whether other measures should be taken.
Continue reading Abnormal Fetal Presentations
The brain requires approximately 20% of the body’s oxygen intake
to function properly. Hypoxia occurs when the brain does not receive enough
oxygen. The low levels of oxygen limits brain activity, interrupting neurotransmitters
and electrochemical impulses. This can seriously affect the rest of the
body. Brain cells can die within five minutes. If not handled appropriately
and quickly, cerebral hypoxia can cause brain damage or death.
Continue reading What is Hypoxic Brain Injury?
The Accepted Standard of Care for Doctors
In Texas, jurors are given the following definition of negligence:
“Negligence,” when used with respect to the conduct of
Dr. Davis, means failure to use ordinary care, that, failing to do that which
a physician of ordinary prudence would have done under the same or similar circumstances
of doing that which a physician of ordinary prudence would not have done under the same of similar circumstances.
Continue reading Determining the Accepted Standard of Care