According to a study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers, the number three main cause of death in the United States is medical errors. Over 250,000 die each year in the country as a result of medical errors or negligence.
According to a study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers, the number three main cause of death in the United States is medical errors. Over 250,000 die each year in the country as a result of medical errors or negligence.
On the official list of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it would rank right behind cancer and heart disease, which were both the cause of about 600,000 deaths in 2014.
Medical errors that can result in death range from mix-ups with the types or doses of medications prescribed to patients with surgical complications that go unnoticed or unrecognized.
What does Doctor-Patient Confidentiality actually mean?
Doctor-patient confidentiality is a very simple principle that any individual should not have concerns about getting medical treatment for fear that their condition will be disclosed to others. It is the objective of this confidential relationship to ensure that patients feel comfortable enough to provide any and all information that is relevant to their condition.
Due to this, once a doctor takes on a patient, it is expected that the doctor will hold the information in confidentiality and use it only for the patient’s benefit. They are not allowed to divulge any medical information about the patient to third parties without the consent of the patient. However, there are some exceptions – issues that are related to health insurance. The doctor shall be permitted to divulge classified information if a client or patient plans to cause grievous harm to another person or other people or if there is an ongoing lawsuit.
Breach of Confidentiality
A breach of confidentiality takes place when the private information of a patient is disclosed to a third person without their consent. Keep in mind that there are limited exceptions to this, which includes court orders that require medical records to be submitted or disclosures to state health officials.
State law protects patient confidentiality. If the private information of a patient is disclosed without getting proper authorization and results in some form of harm to the patient, they could have a cause of action against the doctor or any other medical professional for medical malpractice, invasion of privacy, etc. Of course, a breach did not occur if the patient consented to the disclosure.
Duration of Duty of Confidentiality
The duty of confidentiality does not end soon after the patient is discharged or treatment is complete. It continues even after a patient has ceased treatment or stopped seeing that particular doctor. This duty also goes on after the patient’s death. This means that if a patient passes away, their medical information and records are still under protection of doctor-patient confidentiality.
If you or a loved one has been harmed in some way due to the breach of doctor-patient confidentiality, it is time you consulted a medical malpractice lawyer and there is no one better at this than the Rosenberg, Minc, Falloff, & Wolff Law firm. You can discuss the facts of your case and find out how to bring a claim against the doctor or medical professional in question.
The first meeting is free. What do you have to say? RMFW has won millions of dollars for past clients. You too can be on this fantastic list. Call us today at 212-344-1000! If we take on your case, we will keep you informed of all major developments and work out a strategy that you understand so you can obtain the financial relief which you are due.
