The holiday season brings joy, celebration, and—for many—an increase in visits to emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and hospitals. But behind the scenes, this busy time of year also sees a troubling trend: a spike in medical errors.
Whether due to holiday staffing shortages, overworked medical professionals, or increased patient volume, preventable mistakes can have life-altering consequences. At Peterson Injury Law, we believe patients and families deserve to know the risks—and their rights—when medical care goes wrong during the holidays.
Why Do Medical Errors Increase During the Holidays?
Medical facilities are under unusual strain in November, December, and early January. Several factors contribute to the heightened risk of mistakes during this time:
1. Staffing Shortages and Inexperience
Hospitals and clinics often operate with skeleton crews during the holidays. Experienced doctors and nurses may take time off, leaving less-experienced staff to fill in. While every medical professional has training, experience matters when quick, complex decisions are required.
2. Fatigue and Long Shifts
Those who do work holiday shifts often face longer hours, irregular schedules, and more stress. Fatigue is a proven contributor to errors in judgment, miscommunication, and missed warning signs in patients.
3. Overcrowded Emergency Rooms
Holiday-related travel, weather events, and seasonal illnesses like the flu can flood ERs and urgent care clinics. When hospitals are overwhelmed, the quality of care can suffer—leading to diagnostic mistakes, delayed treatment, and overlooked symptoms.
4. Communication Breakdowns
Clear communication is essential in any healthcare setting. However, hand-offs between providers may happen more frequently during the holidays, especially with temporary or rotating staff. Miscommunication about medications, symptoms, or test results can result in serious harm.
What Are the Most Common Holiday Medical Errors?
Medical mistakes come in many forms, but certain types are especially common during this season:
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, especially in emergency departments
- Medication errors, including incorrect dosages or wrong prescriptions
- Surgical mistakes, often due to rushed procedures or miscommunication
- Infections or complications from reduced post-op monitoring
- Falls or injuries in understaffed facilities
These errors are not just unfortunate—they are preventable. And when they happen because of negligence, patients may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
How Can Patients Protect Themselves?
While you can’t control how a hospital operates, you can take steps to advocate for yourself or a loved one during holiday medical care:
- Ask questions. If something seems unclear or rushed, speak up.
- Keep records. Document names of providers, medications, and test results.
- Bring support. A trusted friend or family member can help track details and ask questions.
- Don’t delay care. Early treatment can reduce complications—seek help when symptoms arise.
If you suspect a medical error, act quickly. The sooner a potential mistake is identified, the better the outcome may be—and the stronger your case may be if legal action is necessary.
California Medical Malpractice Attorney
At Peterson Injury Law, we’ve seen firsthand how medical mistakes can derail lives—especially during what should be a joyful time of year. If you or a loved one were harmed due to a preventable error, we’re here to help.
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