The results of a national survey indicate that over 50 percent of doctors in New York and the rest of the nation are burned out. The results also indicate that those doctors have a higher likelihood of committing medical errors.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association indicates that the reliability and usefulness of electronic health records may vary widely across different systems. EHR error rates also varied among the different tasks physicians were asked to perform, and were as high as 50 percent for certain tasks. That could be important information for New York patients.
New York has many experienced and respected doctors, but no medical professional is immune to making mistakes. A medical case from Europe that spanned over 20 years illustrates the problems that can be caused by a misdiagnosis. In this case, two diseases, Gaucher disease and myelofibrosis, were confused.
Penicillin is a common ingredient used in medication at clinics and hospitals across New York. Unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon to see patients with a serious allergy to penicillin. Allergic reactions caused by penicillin can have major health consequences, so it’s incumbent on medical professionals to confirm or rule out a penicillin allergy before prescribing it. Now, there are additional reasons to rule out a penicillin allergy.
When a New York patient suddenly finds a new growth on their skin, they should seek immediate attention to rule out any potentially deadly cancers, such as Merkel cell carcinoma. This rare cancer first appears as a nodule on the skin that may be skin-colored or bluish-red in color. While they usually first appear on the head, neck or face, they can spread to other parts of the body quickly if they are not dealt with in a timely manner.
In New York hospitals, drug shortages can be a major obstacle. When there are shortages of certain drugs, medication errors may be more likely to occur, especially if they have an impact on the methods for compounding sterile products. Establishing preparedness processes and best practices can help ensure that hospitals are prepared for shortages and able to mitigate any errors these shortages could potentially cause.
People in long-term care facilities in New York and around the country can be at particular risk of harm due to medication errors and the improper prescription of antibiotics. In particular, when antibiotics are used improperly to treat urinary tract infections, patients can be put at elevated risk of harm, especially due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. These types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a major threat not only inside long-term care facilities but to overall public health.
The medical community in New York does a better job of diagnosing and treating heart disease in men than in women. This disparity results from gender-based differences in symptoms and variations in cardiovascular disease between the sexes.
Busy people in New York might be aware of the risks of different types of cardiovascular disease; risks can be increased in people with hectic lifestyles, smokers or people who don’t follow a healthy diet. Cardiomyopathy, disease of the heart muscle, is a lesser-known heart condition that can be dangerous, especially because people who have it sometimes don’t notice any symptoms.
New York residents who undergo surgical procedures might be victims of surgical errors. When this occurs, it is important that the patients understand why the error occurred, how the surgeon can correct the errors and injuries and what legal steps should be taken.
