Does Daylight Savings Time Increase Medical Errors?

Jul 18, 2022

The science of human medicine is always changing. New discoveries are made all the time and changes in medical practices can have a significant impact on patient care. One area that is constantly changing is the way that medical errors are managed and prevented.

One potential cause of medical errors is the way that daylight savings time (DST) can disrupt our natural sleep patterns. DST can cause us to lose an hour of sleep, which can lead to fatigue and other problems. A new study has looked at the impact of DST on medical errors and found that they do indeed increase during this time change.

The results will likely surprise you. Read on to find out more about this important study and what it means for your health care.

What Is Daylight Savings Time?

DST is a way of “saving” daylight by moving an hour of sunlight from the morning to the evening. This is done by setting our clocks forward an hour in the spring and then moving them back an hour in the fall. DST was first implemented in the United States in 1918 as a way to conserve energy during World War I.

DST is now used in over 70 countries around the world. It is a controversial practice, with some people arguing that it is outdated and no longer necessary. Others argue that DST is beneficial, providing an extra hour of daylight in the evening when people are more likely to be outside and active.

The Impact of DST on Medical Errors

There is some evidence that daylight savings time may increase the risk of medical errors. One study found that, during the spring transition to daylight savings time, there was a 5 percent increase in the number of medication errors made by doctors and nurses.

Another study found that the rate of serious medical errors increased by nearly 20 percent during the first week after the spring daylight saving time change. The researchers concluded that the additional hour of sleep lost during the time change may have contributed to the higher error rate.

While more research is needed to confirm these findings, it’s possible that daylight savings time could have a negative impact on patient safety. If you’re concerned about this issue, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about ways to minimize the risk of medical errors in your care.

What Constitutes Medical Errors?

Medical errors are defined as “any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate patient care.” This includes errors in diagnosis, treatment, management of medications, and more.

There are many different ways that medical errors can occur. Some examples include:

Prescribing the wrong medication

Giving the wrong dosage of a medication

Mixing up two patients’ medical records

Ordering the wrong laboratory test

Failing to follow up on abnormal test results

Making a mistake during surgery

While some medical errors may not have serious consequences, others can lead to serious injury or death. That’s why it’s important for healthcare providers to take steps to prevent errors from happening in the first place.

What Can You Do if You Suffered a Medical Error?

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a medical error, there are steps you can take to seek justice. You may be able to file a medical malpractice claim against the healthcare provider responsible for the error.

Filing a claim can be a complex process, so it’s important to work with an experienced medical errors lawyer who can guide you through the process and protect your rights.

At The Doctor Lawyer Firm, we have extensive experience handling medical malpractice cases. We understand the pain and suffering that errors can cause, and we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

When you meet with our medical errors lawyer, we will review your case and help you understand your legal options. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation, so you can get the information you need without any pressure to hire us.

If we determine that you have a case, we will work tirelessly to get you the best possible outcome. We will conduct thorough research into your claim, collect evidence, and build a strong case for compensation. We’re not afraid to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to get you the justice you deserve.

Daylight savings time may increase the risk of medical errors, but you can take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. If you’ve been the victim of a medical error, call The Doctor Lawyer Firm for a free consultation.

Statute of Limitations in Florida

There is a time limit, or statute of limitations, for filing a medical malpractice claim in Florida. In most cases, you will have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim.

If you try to file a claim after the statute of limitations has expired, your case will likely be dismissed. That’s why it’s important to act quickly if you think you may have a case.

Get Help from an Experienced Medical Errors Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been injured by a medical error, don’t wait to get help. We invite you to meet with our medical errors lawyer to discuss your case.

At The Doctor Lawyer Firm, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that errors can take on victims and their families. We will fight to get you the compensation you need and deserve. So get in touch with us today, and we will work together with you to find a solution that meets your needs.

Call 1-833-MEDMALS or fill out our online form to get started.

The information in this blog post is for reference only and not legal advice. As such, you should not decide whether to contact a lawyer based on the information in this blog post. Moreover, there is no lawyer-client relationship resulting from this blog post, nor should any such relationship be implied. If you need legal counsel, please consult a lawyer licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.

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