Diagnostic errors can have serious consequences that can prolong pain and suffering, and at worst, claim a patient's life. These types of mistakes are very common and their frequency raises serious concerns over patient safety in the United States. Diagnostic errors are more common than surgical mistakes and patients should be aware of the most common types of errors that occur in hospitals, outpatient care facilities, and physician's offices.
When Patient Referrals Fall Through the Cracks
Failure in the referral management process can delay treatment, increase the risk of negative outcomes, and lead to death. When primary care physicians and specialists do not share critical information regarding a patient's health, it is the patient that suffers the consequences.
Are You Afraid of Needles? (Maybe You Should Be)
Unsafe injection practices place patients at unnecessary risk of acquiring infections and disease while under the care of physicians, nurses, and anesthesiologists. From 2001 to 2011, more than 150,000 patients were negatively affected by unsafe injection practices. It is a common problem across the United States with potentially deadly results.
Unusual Legal Strategy Could Be Game Changer in Medical Malpractice Suits
Medical malpractice cases may involve elements of fraud which allows injured patients or their surviving family members to pursue claims based on fraud and not medical malpractice alone. This makes it possible for individuals to pursue claims for punitive damages which are not allowed under Illinois medical malpractice statutes.
Lack of Regulation at Surgical Centers Raises the Risk for Malpractice [infographic]
Minimal oversight within surgical centers places the health and safety of patients at considerable risk for serious injuries or death. In many states, the oversight is so minimal that surgical centers are not required to report when their patients die as the result of surgical procedures.
Knowledge Is Power: 5 Common Birth Injuries
It's common for mothers to make significant lifestyle changes when they find out they're pregnant. Because physicians know so much more today about fetal development than they did a generation ago, mothers replace alcohol and nicotine with supplements such as folic acid, vitamin D and calcium. They do this because they realize how significant their role is in the development of a healthy child.
Mesothelioma Is Commonly Misdiagnosed
Who are the "Best" Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorneys? [infographic]
What you need to know about medical errors
When a medical professional makes a mistake, the consequences can be extremely serious. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine estimate that medical error ranks third among causes of death in the United States.
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