According to studies, diagnostic errors occurred in approximately 5% of outpatients every year in the United States, meaning that roughly 12 million adults are victims of misdiagnosis. A small fraction of this 5% is made up of missed cancers, but it is found that “delayed cancer diagnosis” is one of the most harmful and costly types of diagnostic errors.
According to studies, diagnostic errors occurred in approximately 5% of outpatients every year in the United States, meaning that roughly 12 million adults are victims of misdiagnosis. A small fraction of this 5% is made up of missed cancers, but it is found that “delayed cancer diagnosis” is one of the most harmful and costly types of diagnostic errors.
Hospital medical errors are currently the third leading cause of death in the US. According to a new study in the Journal of Patient Safety, these errors result in as many as 400,000 deaths each year.
The most common errors made within the hospital system are misdiagnosis, wrong-site surgery, and hospital acquired infection, or HAI. The prevalence of these issues is so high that the National Patient Safety Week has been created by the National Patient Safety Foundation. This week is dedicated to raising awareness about these types of preventable medical errors.
Patients who have been injured or harmed in some way due to medical errors or negligence can be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor or medical professional who caused the injury. There are four essential elements need to be proven in order to hold the medical professional liable for the injury or harm:
- The doctor or medical professional had a duty of care to the patient.
- That duty of care was breached.
- That breach of duty directly caused some type of harm to the patient.
- The harm was the direct cause for the injury for which compensation may be given to the patient.
Preventing Misdiagnosis
There are safety tips that you can follow to ensure that you are not a victim of misdiagnosis:
- First of all, it is important to make sure that you choose the best doctor in their field.
- You should understand the treatment or procedure recommended by your doctor to its full extent.
- You should make sure to do a DNA test at the time of the biopsy.
- Make sure that you take all medications as instructed by your physician.
- You should follow all care instructions as provided by your doctor and make sure that you get treatment in a clean, healthy environment.
- If you have any questions or concerns, you should not hesitate to call your doctor.
- You should not start any treatment or consent to a procedure unless you are 100% sure that you have received your own diagnosis and biopsy result.
- You should make sure that you do not neglect follow up appointments with your doctor.
The best way to prevent misdiagnosis is to ensure that you take active part in your health care. Being responsible and following these tips will help in keeping you and your family safe from the detrimental costs that come with misdiagnosis and other medical errors.
If you or somebody you know has been injured or harmed as a result of misdiagnosis, you should immediately seek the help of the medical malpractice attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000. We know how to win cases. We know what it takes to win a case.
Give us a call. Let’s see if your case is viable. The first meeting is completely free! We are not paid until you are paid.
