May 30, 2013 (Press-News.org) Diagnostic errors more common than many think
Article provided by J Eric Harrison
Visit us at http://www.jeh-lawoffice.com/
The leading cause of medical malpractice claims is not surgical errors, missteps by obstetricians or medication errors. Rather, according to a recent study, misdiagnoses by doctors are the leading cause of successful medical malpractice claims in the U.S. Though this may not be the first kind of error that people think of, the reality is that the effects of these errors can be life threatening. By some estimates, between 40,000 and 80,000 of these sorts of errors occur in the U.S. each year.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University studied data from the National Practitioner Data Bank, a federally maintained collection of information about medical malpractice claims in the U.S. The NPDB allowed researchers to examine approximately 25 years worth of information about medical malpractice settlements and verdicts.
They discovered diagnostic errors are not only the most common type of medical error, but also the most expensive and the most deadly. Overall, approximately 29 percent of all successful medical malpractice claims were due to incorrect, delayed or missed diagnoses. Diagnostic errors accounted for about 35 percent of all the money paid to victims of medical malpractice and their heirs. These sorts of errors caused about 39 percent of all medical malpractice related deaths. Even worse, data collected from autopsy results indicates that between 10 and 20 percent of deaths occur due to conditions that were incorrectly diagnosed or missed while the person was alive. Experts estimate that about 50 percent of those cases could have been treated successfully.
Although the Johns Hopkins study proves the importance of diagnostic errors as a cause of medical malpractice injuries and claims, it does not attempt to offer an explanation of why these sorts of errors are so common. Some experts suggest that the very complexity of making even a simple diagnosis is to blame: in any system with many steps and countless variables, a small mistake can have serious consequences. An additional problem is that many doctors consider diagnostic errors to be a personal failure. For many doctors, the ability to accurately diagnose a condition goes to the core of their professional identity. This makes admitting fault a deeply difficult thing to do.
Nevertheless, no matter the cause of the misdiagnosis problem, it is clear that action is needed. Hopefully, the efforts of researchers at Johns Hopkins and elsewhere can help lead to a solution that not only prevents misdiagnoses, but helps patients get the medical treatment they need.
Diagnostic errors more common than many think
The leading cause of medical malpractice claims is not surgical errors, missteps by obstetricians or medication errors. Rather, according to a recent study, misdiagnoses by doctors are the leading cause of successful medical malpractice claims in the U.S.
2013-05-30
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Tumultuous legal landscape creates obstacles to same-sex divorce
2013-05-30
Tumultuous legal landscape creates obstacles to same-sex divorce
Article provided by DiBella Law Offices, P.C.
Visit us at http://www.dibellalawpc.com
Massachusetts pioneered the same-sex marriage movement in the United States when it became the first state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004. As the issue gains traction in America's mainstream, a growing number of states have modified their laws to recognize marriages between same-sex partners, but for now those states remain in the minority.
Because of the myriad state laws concerning same-sex ...
Traveling DNA test site makes waves in Massachusetts
2013-05-30
Traveling DNA test site makes waves in Massachusetts
Article provided by DiBella Law Offices, P.C.
Visit us at http://www.dibellalawpc.com
A traveling DNA test site made an appearance in downtown Boston recently, causing a stir among passersby. The mobile clinic, a modified recreational vehicle emblazoned with the slogan "Who's Your Daddy?", had pedestrians lining up to take pictures. The vehicle's owner and operator told Boston Magazine that the truck's bold paint job helps break the ice on an often-taboo subject by getting people laughing and talking ...
Save money in the divorce process
2013-05-30
Save money in the divorce process
Article provided by Law Office of L. Todd Nalagan
Visit us at http://www.toddnalagan.com
Everyone knows that divorce can be emotionally difficult. However, many do not consider the toll that the process can take on one's finances. Mediators, psychologists, accountants, court fees and other expenses can really add up.
Therefore, it is important for those confronting a divorceto create a budget and be cautious of expenses. Also, it can help to limit the amount of money spent within the process. There are a few ways you can do this.
First, ...
Understanding paternity rights in Oklahoma
2013-05-30
Understanding paternity rights in Oklahoma
Article provided by Law Office of L. Todd Nalagan
Visit us at http://www.toddnalagan.com
To retain custody or visitation rights of a child, a male in Oklahoma must first establish paternity. In Oklahoma, the establishment of paternity depends on whether a child was born into a marriage. Specifically, a man is automatically presumed to be a legal father of a child if he is married to the mother when the child is born. Similarly, if a child is not born into a marriage, but the man and mother were married within 300 days of ...
Bankruptcy in Texas: what property is exempt?
2013-05-30
Bankruptcy in Texas: what property is exempt?
Article provided by Wyatt & Gracey, PC
Visit us at http://www.wyattpllc.com/
A misleading and persistent rumor says if you file for bankruptcy protection, you have to sell your property to pay your debt. It is true that in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, certain types of your property may be sold. However, the only type of property that may be sold is called nonexempt property--property that is not exempt from the bankruptcy estate.
How exemptions protect your property
Exempt property is removed from the bankruptcy estate ...
Chapter 13 bankruptcy: a remedy as Ohio foreclosure rates increase
2013-05-30
Chapter 13 bankruptcy: a remedy as Ohio foreclosure rates increase
Article provided by Robert E. Bardwell, Jr. Attorney at Law
Visit us at http://www.ohiobankruptlaw.com
While many may assume the worst of the housing collapse is over, financial institutions in Ohio are aggressively pursuing foreclosures to clear troubled properties off their books. As a result, Ohio had the third-highest rate of foreclosures nationwide in April. For some, an Ohio Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a way to stay in their home and stop the foreclosure process.
According to data from RealtyTrac, ...
Loan modifications may offer relief for struggling homeowners
2013-05-30
Loan modifications may offer relief for struggling homeowners
Article provided by Law Offices of Robert M. Geller, P.A.
Visit us at http://www.attorneyfortampabay.com
Americans across the country are struggling to keep their homes as many homeowners continue to find themselves owing more for their home than it is worth. Government officials are taking note, extending relief programs and taking steps to educate the public on programs that may help homeowners who find themselves in these situations.
Educational efforts include The Department of Treasury's Foreclosure ...
New technologies may reduce risk of job related injuries in Georgia
2013-05-30
New technologies may reduce risk of job related injuries in Georgia
Article provided by Law Office of D. Lee Biola, LLC
Visit us at http://www.workers-compensation-atlanta.com
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that almost 1.2 million workers were injured while on the job and an additional 4,609 were killed. Accidents can occur in any work environment, but truck drivers, medical professionals, construction workers and laborers appear to be at the greatest risk for injury.
One company is applying a novel concept in an attempt to help reduce the risk of injuries ...
Long-term impact of dangerous chemicals and workers' comp basics in Georgia
2013-05-30
Long-term impact of dangerous chemicals and workers' comp basics in Georgia
Article provided by Law Office of D. Lee Biola, LLC
Visit us at http://www.workers-compensation-atlanta.com
Lead, asbestos and arsenic are three examples of chemicals that can lead to serious, even fatal, injuries to workers. These chemicals often do damage when the worker is exposed to small amounts over a long period of time. OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an agency designed to protect employees from workplace hazards, has set limits to many of these dangerous ...
Parental relocation in Nevada
2013-05-30
Parental relocation in Nevada
Article provided by Dawson, Ford & Friedman, LLC
Visit us at http://www.fordfriedmanlaw.com
When a couple begins to get serious about their relationship, they may start thinking about the perfect place to raise a family. They want to live in an area that offers stable employment and other benefits so that their children will have ample opportunities to succeed.
However, some of these parents may experience a change in circumstances that leads to the end of their relationship. In some situations, this may even lead to one of the ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
CeSPIACE: A broad-spectrum peptide inhibitor against variable SARS-CoV-2 spikes
Understanding the origin of magnetic moment enhancement in novel alloys
BU researchers develop computational tools to safeguard privacy without degrading voice-based cognitive markers
Breakthrough in rapid polymer nanostructure production
Artificial photosynthesis: Researchers mimic plants
Social disadvantage can accelerate ageing and increase disease risk
Breaking free from dependence on rare resources! A domestic high-performance permanent magnet emerges!
Symptoms of long-COVID can last up to two years after infection with COVID-19
Violence is forcing women in Northern Ireland into homelessness, finds new report
Latin American intensivists denounce economic and cultural inequities in the global scientific publishing system
Older adults might be more resistant to bird flu infections than children, Penn research finds
Dramatic increase in research funding needed to counter productivity slowdown in farming
How chemistry and force etch mysterious spiral patterns on solid surfaces
Unraveling the mysteries of polycystic kidney disease
Mother’s high-fat diet can cause liver stress in fetus, study shows
Weighing in on a Mars water debate
Researchers ‘seq’ and find a way to make pig retinal cells to advance eye treatments
Re-purposed FDA-approved drug could help treat high-grade glioma
Understanding gamma rays in our universe through StarBurst
Study highlights noninvasive hearing aid
NASA taps UTA to shape future of autonomous aviation
Mutations disrupt touch-based learning, study finds
Misha lived in zoos, but the elephant’s tooth enamel helps reconstruct wildlife migrations
Eat better, breathe easier? Research points to link between diet, lung cancer
Mesozoic mammals had uniform dark fur
Wartime destruction of Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine has long-term environmental consequences
NIH’s flat 15% funding policy is misguided and damaging
AI reveals new insights into the flow of Antarctic ice
Scientists solve decades-long Parkinson’s mystery
Spinning, twisted light could power next-generation electronics
[Press-News.org] Diagnostic errors more common than many thinkThe leading cause of medical malpractice claims is not surgical errors, missteps by obstetricians or medication errors. Rather, according to a recent study, misdiagnoses by doctors are the leading cause of successful medical malpractice claims in the U.S.