Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, 98 000 people die each year across the country due to medical mistakes made in hospitals. Medical mistakes are an unfortunate problem with serious consequences. Cancer misdiagnosis in Florida, for example, can delay a treatment and can cause a death that could have been prevented. Florida misdiagnosis for other illnesses can cause complications when patients are given the wrong treatment. Preventable infections in hospitals and medicine errors can also cause serious complications and deaths. There are many things that can be done to stop these tragedies:

1) Greater awareness. When patients are aware of the risks of medical mistakes in hospitals and medical clinics, they often become more aware of their treatment, ask more questions, and stay alert. This can sometimes help prevent a misdiagnosis or problem.

2) A better system. Unfortunately, many medical facilities and medical professionals are reluctant to admit fault in cases of misdiagnosis and error, which means that such cases do not receive the investigations needed to prevent future problems. A system that holds doctors accountable and asks for changes could help reduce tragedies over time.

3) Florida medical malpractice cases. Unfortunately, it often takes legal action to shine a spotlight on problems with a particular hospital, clinic, or doctor. When families seek legal claims, judges often make recommendations to help prevent similar mistakes and problems in the future. Hospitals also are often forced to take steps as a result of litigation to improve patient safety.

4) Different legislation. In 2004, a bill of rights for patients was created in Florida and it was decided that doctors with multiple findings against them for patient safety violations would be punished. However, legislators can go further in protecting patients from harm.

Continue reading "Preventing Florida Misdiagnosis and Medical Mistakes" »

Patients visit medical professionals to get medical help and advice. Unfortunately, when medical professionals are negligent and reckless, misdiagnosis can occur. Misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor incorrectly determines a disease or a lack of disease. For example, misdiagnosis can occur when a doctor fails to find a cancer that is in a patient’s body. Misdiagnosis can also occur when a physician tells a patient they have one condition when in fact the patient is suffering from another condition.

Misdiagnosis can be devastating. If a physician misses a cancer present, for example, a patient can die because life-saving treatment is delayed. If a patient is misdiagnosed with cancer when no disease is present, the patient may suffer from many personal injuries and health problems while undergoing radical treatments. Getting the wrong treatment or medicine can make health problems much worse.

Responsible physicians want to give patients the best care possible and want to give the correct diagnosis each time. There are many things that patients can do to help their doctors avoid misdiagnosis:

1) Do not ignore your symptoms. If you notice that you have unusual symptoms, write them all down in a journal for a day or two. Jot down when the symptoms occur and what is happening when they occur. Note the exact location, duration, and severity of each symptom and be sure to list all possible symptoms. This journal can help your doctor help you get diagnosed correctly. Avoid diagnosing yourself. A physician is trained to diagnose different illnesses that have very similar symptoms. Write down your symptoms and then see a physician.

2) If you are diagnosed with something serious, get a second opinion. This will ensure that another doctor agrees with the initial diagnosis and ensures that you have the right treatment plan for your ailment.

3) Consider visiting a specialist. Specialists are trained to focus on a specific area and therefore know more about specific subjects. If your general practitioners diagnoses you with a skin ailment, for example, consider visiting a dermatologist. He or she will have the expertise and experience to determine whether the initial diagnosis is correct and will be better equipped to advise you about treatment options.

4) When discussing new symptoms with a physician, be sure to tell them about existing medical conditions you have and any changes you have made in your lifestyle lately. Sometimes, changes in your life can affect your body in unusual ways. As well, some ailments and their medications have side effects that may influence your symptoms and therefore how you are diagnosed.

5) Educate yourself about your diagnosis. If you have been diagnosed with a condition or ailment, research the condition at your local library. This will help you learn a great deal about the condition and it’s treatment options. It will also inform you, so that if your doctor suggests a treatment or a diagnosis that does not seem to match what you have read you can ask informed questions.