ANAESTHETIC AWARENESS
Anaesthetic awareness occurs when the patient finds themselves on the operating table and can feel and hear what is happening. They are however unable to tell the operating team because they are physically paralysed. Latest figures suggest that 1 in every 500 patients in the UK are able to recall experiences during a surgical procedure when they are supposed to be under general anaesthetic.
Any spontaneous awakening during what is presumed to be general anaesthesia may give rise to a compensation claim if this is the fault of the medical team. The patient may have such memories of the procedure whether they are visual or through other sensations such as sight, smell or pain. Research seems to indicate that awareness occurs during only part of the surgical procedure although some suffer throughout the entire procedure. The most common procedure involves caesarean section although it is also occurs during general surgery.
How can anaesthetic awareness occur?
There are many reasons why awareness in patients can occur. There may be equipment failure due to lack of adequate monitoring and maintenance. There may be incorrect technique used, syringes may be mistakenly swapped, empty vaporisers may be used, infusion errors may occur or muscle relaxants may have been substituted for induction agents. Any of these mistakes can give rise to awareness for the patient.
Some people can be resilient to general anaesthetic. In these cases it is essential that the medical team take even more care with the patient to reduce the possibility of awareness occurring. In every case as a matter of course all preoperative history should be obtained. All operative apparatus must be checked thoroughly and the medical team must be familiar with any new equipment being used. Medication before the operation must be adequate and the right drugs must be administered at the right times, which involves correct labelling of all drugs used. All vaporisers used should contain the exact concentrate of anaesthesia and these should be monitored constantly to ensure the concentration is adequate.
I think I have a claim. Where do I go from here?
To be awake during ones operation is perhaps one of the most traumatic experiences imaginable. Ashton Lake Solicitors understand that people who have experienced awareness do not just suffer during the operation itself. The pain associated with the operation can fade but often psychological symptoms can change a person’s life forever. Many people suffer with nightmares, panic attacks, agoraphobia, claustrophobia, numbing of general senses and other cognitive behavioural disorders.
How can Ashton Lake Solicitors help?
In these types of cases, often the individual feels that they may be mistaken about what happened whilst some recall the experience over a number of days following the operation. It is essential that you speak to a specialist solicitor as soon as possible. Ashton Lake Solicitors are specialists in bringing medical negligence claims.
We are skilled in identifying from the medical records and from witness evidence what procedures were followed throughout the pre and post-operative period. We will identify and prove negligent action on the part of the medical professional where they have provided a sub standard level of care. Our aim is to get to the truth of why the negligent action occurred and to obtain the maximum compensation possible. We pride ourselves in high levels of client care and will always progress your claim with sensitivity at every stage of the process.
If you wish to obtain a free claim assessment then please complete the online enquiry form or call 01509 262621 to speak to a specialist medical negligence solicitor who will be available to discuss your case further. We offer a wide choice of funding arrangements including no win no fee.
