When you go to the hospital and have numerous tests done, you expect the doctor to find out what's wrong with you and treat whatever illness you have. Patients rely on doctors and hospitals to properly diagnose and treat their conditions. When a doctor fails to diagnose a patient with the correct disorder or doesn't provide treatment soon enough, the patient's life is at risk for serious complications and even death.
Many patients may not be aware of the risk of diagnostic errors in the United States. A new study by Johns Hopkins University found that diagnostic errors are very dangerous to patients and contribute to the most medical malpractice claims in the U.S. The study found that diagnostic mistakes like misdiagnosis and failure to treat in a timely manner cause 160,000 cases of permanent damage and death to patients.
Diagnostic errors are very risky to patients. Misdiagnoses can lead to fatal complications in some patients, while other patients may suffer long-term damage to their overall health. The finding that diagnostic errors cause the most medical malpractice claims is disturbing as the researchers said diagnostic errors are more preventable than other types of hospital mistakes.
The good news is that hospitals are trying to improve patient safety and prevent these mistakes from happening. More hospitals are using automated devices and tests to help doctors diagnose diseases more accurately as well as help doctors follow up on certain test results.
Doctors are also being educated to keep an open mind when trying to diagnose patients. Many doctors tend to stick to one diagnosis even if the symptoms may indicate something else. That is why hospitals are training doctors to consider all the symptoms and possible diagnoses to prevent diagnostic errors.
Diagnostic errors should be taken very seriously by hospitals and patients. Patients who believe they have been misdiagnosed or harmed due to a diagnostic error should consult a medical malpractice attorney to discuss their legal options.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, "The Biggest Mistake Doctors Make," Laura Landro, Nov. 17, 2013
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