Question

Mollie is a 9-year-old girl admitted to the hospital following a seizure on the playground at school. She has been diagnosed with a cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM). A craniotomy with attendant clipping and removal of the AVM has been proposed. Mollie is in a foster home with a guardian. Her biological parents are both dead.

5. During the procedure, the power equipment called a craniotome was used. During the case, the craniotome malfunctioned, causing harm to Mollie. Describe why this may be considered negligence and what you should do to prevent harm or damage during the use of any type of equipment or instrumentation.

Answer 1

The law of negligence allows a patient to sue the doctor on grounds of harm caused to the patient intentionally or unintentionally. The doctor has a duty towards the patient to treat him in best possible way and avoid any harms lr dangers during the treatment process.
Use of damaged or malfunctioning equipments by the doctor harming the patient falls under law of negligence. It is doctor's duty to priorly check the proper functioning of each and every equipment required during therapeutic procedures. The harm caused due to malfunctioning of equipment is caused by doctor's negligence.
To prevent harm or damage during the use of any type of equipment or instrumentation following should be done :

- regular and timely servicing of all the equipments.
- Timely greasing, oiling or cleaning of the equipments.
- proper storage of the equipments to prevent dust or other particles to settle on to the equipments.
- Store equipments in a dry place to avoid corrosion.
- check all the electrical connections and cable wires regularly.

- regular checks on the inventory items and discard the equipments and other products that are expired.
- check the proper functioning of all equipments prior to any procedure to prevent harm to patient.
- ensure that the electrical connection to the equipment are safe and all cables and leads are in place.
- always instruct the patient about the procedure and use of equipment. Instruct the patient about the position he needs to maintain during the procedure.