Researchers reviewing medical malpractice cases covered in journals across the globe discovered that missed diagnoses were at the heart of many medical malpractice claims that involved primary care physicians. The researchers worked solely with data involving primary care doctors because they stated that these medical providers are often the first people to see patients who report issues.
Between 26 and 63 percent of claims in each journal study related to missed diagnoses, said the researchers. And some conditions were missed more often than others. Heart attacks and cancer were the two conditions most often missed by doctors when dealing with adult patients.
Other conditions that doctors failed to diagnosis or didn’t diagnosis in a timely manner included bone fractures, ectopic pregnancy and appendicitis. Some special types of cancer and meningitis were the top misses when treating children.
Missed diagnoses in the study resulted in a wide range of consequences, up to and including death. In fact, death was a consequences in 15 to 48 percent of cases where missed diagnosis was reported as a reason for medical malpractice issues.
The human body still holds some mysteries science can’t explain, and doctors are people who are not infallible. Because of this, misdiagnosis can and will continue to happen. Better technologies, increasing education and better communication with patients call all reduce the risk of such issues, but tragedy can occur even in a medical setting.
If you have lost a loved one — or have suffered personal injury — because a diagnosis was missed, then you do have options in New Jersey for seeking financial compensation for such losses. Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit doesn’t just help you seek possible financial recovery; it can also bring poor medical practices to light.
Source: CBS News, “Most common medical malpractice claims for missed cancer, heart attacks,” Ryan Jaslow, accessed Feb. 05, 2016