The results of a recent survey show a surprising number of doctors suffer from alcohol dependency. This dependency could potentially put New Jersey patients at risk of surgical errors. These errors might be preventable and happen with less frequency if doctors suffering from dependency problems seek help.
Medical professionals are expected to operate on patients in a safe manner and should refrain from operating on patients when they think their skills have been hindered because of alcohol use.
The survey found that 26 percent of female surgeons are dependent on alcohol and 14 percent of male surgeons suffered from dependency. The survey didn’t evaluate whether there has been a direct link to medical errors, but being under the influence of alcohol or being distracted because of a hangover while performing surgery could impair a surgeon’s skills.
Even routine surgeries can have complications. A competent surgeon works to minimize the risk of such complications. Being impaired could negatively influence a surgeon’s ability to make sound medical decisions or cause them to be less precise when operating on a person’s body.
Doctors sometimes work long hours and can become burned out of work. Those who experience burn out are also at greater risk of dependency, according to the study.
Not only do surgeries have medical risks that are sometimes complications due to a body’s reaction, but they are also pose risks due to surgical error in New Jersey hospitals. Patients should be aware of their rights if they are ever injured do to an avoidable error.
Source: Medical Daily, “Survey Reveals that 15% of Surgeons Have Alcohol Dependency,” Christine Hsu, Feb. 23, 2012
