Characterization of medical error through case law

Zdravstveni delavci se pri svojem delu pogosto znajdejo v težkih situacijah, kjer je od njihove odločitve odvisno pacientovo zdravje in življenje. Vso zdravstveno osebje se pri svojem delu srečuje z različnimi pravnimi in etičnimi dilemami, zato se od njih pričakujejo tudi določene osebne lastnosti, predvsem moralne kvalitete. Hkrati s tem se od njih pričakuje, da bodo pri svojem delu ravnali z zadostno skrbnostjo in strokovnostjo, njihovo dolžno ravnanje pa je jasneje opisano z zakoni in veljavnimi medicinskimi standardi. Pri svojem delu so zdravstveni delavci osebno – moralno, poklicno – deontološko in pravno odgovorni. Kadar je pacientovo poslabšanje zdravja posledica njihovega nestrokovnega in nepravilnega ravnanja ter odstopa od pričakovanih norm zdravstvene stroke, lahko govorimo o medicinski napaki. V primeru takšnih odstopanj od pričakovanih norm in pravil je zdravstveni delavec pravno odgovoren in lahko za svoja ravnanja odgovarja v okviru kazenskega, odškodninskega ali disciplinskega postopka. Od teže in okoliščin posameznega primera medicinske napake oziroma od ravnanj posameznega zdravstvenega delavca je odvisno, kateri izmed naštetih postopkov bo uveden za vsak posamezen primer neskrbnega oziroma nestrokovnega zdravljenja. S pojmom medicinska napaka opisujemo ravnanje, ki bistveno odstopa od profesionalnih standardov in kršitev dolžne skrbnosti ter pazljivosti. Vsako poslabšanje zdravja pacienta nujno ne pomeni medicinske napake. Ker so medicinski posegi vedno nujno povezani z določenim tveganjem, je potrebno jasno razmejiti, katero ravnanje predstavlja medicinsko napako, in kdaj govorimo o zapletu, saj le medicinska napaka povzroči pravno odgovornost zdravstvenega delavca.In their work, healthcare professionals often find themselves in difficult situations where patient\u27s health and life depend on their decisions. All healthcare staff face various legal and ethical dilemmas in their work and are therefore expected to have certain personal qualities, especially moral qualities. At the same time, they are expected to exercise due care and professionalism in their work, and their duty of care is more clearly described in the laws and medical standards in force. Healthcare professionals have a personal – moral, professional – deontological and legal responsibility in their work. When a patient\u27s deterioration in health is the result of their unprofessional and incorrect behaviour, deviating from the expected norms of the medical profession, we can talk about medical error. In the event of such deviations from expected norms and rules, the health professional is legally responsible and may be held liable for his or her actions in criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings. The severity and circumstances of each case of medical error, or the actions of the individual healthcare professional, will determine which of these procedures will be followed in each case of negligent or unprofessional treatment. Medical error is defined as conduct that significantly deviates from professional standards and breaches the duty of care and diligence. Any deterioration in the patient\u27s health does not necessarily mean a medical error. Since medical interventions are always associated with a certain risk, it is necessary to clearly delineate which behaviour means a medical error from a situation when we are talking about a complication, as only a medical error causes legal responsibility of the healthcare professional