Our last two blog posts discussed errors in the operating room. Doctors and health care workers can make mistakes long before the patient is on the operating table, however. Patients also suffer serious injuries when a doctor fails to diagnosistheir condition or misdiagnosis it all together.
A failure to diagnosis occurs when a patient presents with symptoms that the doctor fails to recognize as any illness or condition. One missed diagnosis can lead to further complications and even death. When the doctor eventually catches his or her mistake, it is a delayed diagnosis.
A number of factors can lead to a failed diagnosis. A patient with a headache might have the beginnings of a brain tumor, which the doctor can overlook. For years, doctors mistook symptoms of deadly mesothelioma for bronchitis and congestion. At other times, a patient might neglect to get a second opinion from a doctor with a specialty in his or her symptoms.
In order to minimize the risk of a failed diagnosis, always be open and honest about your symptoms. Describe the pain or discomfort in detail and keep notes about when they occurred. Also, tell your treating doctor about all the prescriptions that you are currently taking. And above all, never hesitate to get a second opinion if you feel uncomfortable with your doctor’s diagnosis.
Has a doctor misdiagnosed your medical condition in the past?
Harrell & Nowak, L.L.C. – New Orleans medical malpractice lawyers