Like individual medical professionals, hospitals must adhere to standards of care. Hospitals may be held accountable for harm that results when staff or the hospital itself violates these standards or related guidelines for medical facility operations. Examples of hospital malpractice include but are not limited to:
Medication errors, such as the administration of the incorrect medication or an incorrect dose of medication
Failure to recognize or respond appropriately to patient distress
Inadequate sterilization or lack of cleanliness that contributes to infection
Anesthesia errors
It is important to note that hospitals are typically only liable for the actions of hospital employees, such as nurses, paramedics and medical technicians. Surgeons and other doctors who work in hospitals are generally contractors, and when their negligence results in harm the hospitals are usually not liable.