It is true that a cellphone can be a useful tool in a medical setting. Physicians can use their device to quickly text or call so that they can communicate with colleagues, perhaps asking important questions or getting advice. They may be able to consult electronic health records or clinical reference tools. The cellphone can help them provide better care to their patients.
However, there is also a risk of distraction. This is especially true if the physician is using their cellphone for personal reasons, such as texting friends, reading email messages, browsing social media and things of this nature. This type of distracted doctoring could be very relevant in a medical malpractice case if that distracted medical professional makes clear mistakes or acts in a negligent manner.
The comparison to distracted driving
One of the closest comparisons to distracted doctoring is simply distracted driving, such as when someone texts while driving. Their attention is divided. They may still be trying to look at the road and pay attention to traffic around them, but they simply cannot be as focused as they would be if they were not using their phone.
The same could be true for a doctor, potentially leading to mistakes like the failure to recognize certain symptoms in their patient. A doctor who is paying even a fraction of attention to their cellphone may be more likely to mix up electronic health records or make other critical errors.
This can also apply to nurses and support staff. Say that a nurse is in charge of administering medication to patients, but they get distracted by their cellphone, and they accidentally give someone two doses of a high-strength painkiller, potentially leading to an overdose incident.
Seeking financial compensation
Do you believe that you or a loved one has been harmed by a negligent doctor? If so, you may have a right to seek financial compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.