The March of Dimes website has released the findings of their international research department’s study of world wide birth defects. The official report includes staggering statistics, explaining that, “Every year an estimated 8 million children — about 6 percent of total births worldwide — are born with a serious birth defect of genetic or partially genetic origin…” While the official numbers appear to be lower in higher income nations, this percentage is unnerving when considered in the context of our health care system.
In our nation of freedom, we should be able to not only prevent these birth defects by way of higher quality screenings during pregnancy, but also prevent bringing a child into this world in such horrible circumstances. Parents must be able to prevent wrongful births and should be given the option to do so by physicians who do not interject their moral or religious positions upon their patients. The law in this nation stands as pro-choice. Just as pregnant women can choose to terminate pregnancy for a plethora of reasons, so should parents be able to prevent their birthing of a baby who may be born with a terminal illness.
The article from the March of Dimes includes a quote from one of the researchers: “The human toll of birth defects is even greater when one considers the impact of lifelong disability on children, their families, and society,” says Michael Katz, M.D., senior vice president for Research and Global Programs at the March of Dimes. If more doctors took a position that excluded their personal opinion and included an objective, professional opinion, then they would likely come to a similar conclusion as Dr. Katz. While Katz’s international research portrays a more worldly understanding of these issues, it is inexcusable for a nation such as ours – one with such good medicine and such freedoms – to do so little to prevent these birth defects and wrongful births.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical malpractice, you may have a claim for damages. For more information, please go to the New Jersey Medical Malpractice Attorneys page.
John R.Mininno, Esq. is a New Jersey and Pennsylvania trial lawyer representing clients in medical malpractice, defective products and other serious injury claims. He also writes about issues concerning patient safety. His offices are in Collingswood, NJ and Philadelphia, PA.
In the United States, hip replacement surgery is one of the most common orthopaedic surgeries that occurs each year. In fact, since 1997, there have been approximately 300,000 hip replacement surgeries performed in the United States. Without question, the development of prosthetic hip joint replacements, and the development of cement or “glue” to securely place these implant parts into the human skeleton, has been one of the most major advancements in orthopaedic surgery during the last several decades.
Parkland Memorial Hospital is the primary teaching hospital for the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, Texas. It allows residents to perform entire procedures with or without the supervision of attending physicians. According to their own patient safety officer, Dr. Angelique Ramirez, “[they] harm two patients a day in a significant way.”
In a tragic case of 
Francene went to the Norton Audobon Hospital emergency room on January 11, 2010 complaining of headache, neck pain, nausea and vomiting, and shortness of breath. She was diagnosed with pneumonia. On January 13th, doctors noticed one of Francene’s pupils were dilated. The results of a CAT scan revealed medical malpractice.
The hip is a joint between the top of the leg bone (“femur“) and the pelvis bone (“acetabulum“). Hip pain is caused when there is damage to this joint. The main function of the hip joint is to support the weight of a body while standing, walking, or running. Damage can occur for a variety of reasons and cause pain, but, there is no “cure” for hip pain.
A New York nursing home finds itself in the midst of 
According to a recent study, almost 80% of all serious medical malpractice events stem from poor communication during “patient hand-offs”. These errors are usually caused by the inadequate transfer of crucial patient information from one medical provider to another. Without the correct information about a patient’s current and past medical treatment, a doctor can make terrible mistakes that could lead to misdiagnosis, serious injury, or wrongful death. 
Whenever there is rubbing between two surfaces, there will always be wear and tear. All hip implants will have some wear and tear between the implant and the bone. During surgery, a surgeon will cut out the old hip joint and glue in a new hip joint (implant). These implants will have both a “ball,” which is at the head of the femur, and a “cup,” which is the joint/hip socket. These pieces will rub together and over time, break down.
The resident was a 58 year-old man from Kern County. He had a history of aggression and outbursts, and was particularly difficult with staff members on June 23, 2009. Brown Manor Policy states that residents displaying agression should be monitored for at least 72 hours, or until their disposition is relaxed. This monitoring and extra supervision did not happen, however, and a few days later, the 58 year old man fell out of his wheelchair, sustaining injuries to his brain and spine.