How to lower the risk for radiology errors
Radiology plays a significant role in medical malpractice in Ohio and across the U.S. Some 30% of all diagnoses after CT scans and MRIs involve a false-positive reading. Roughly 80% of missed diagnoses in radiology can end in permanent injury or death. Medical errors in general are behind 10% of all deaths in the nation.…
Read MoreNew sepsis guidelines could cause misdiagnoses
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that must be treated quickly in order for Ohio patients to have the best outcomes. However, an article is questioning the wisdom of a new protocol that calls for sepsis to be treated within one hour of a diagnosis. According to the authors of the article, which was published in…
Read MoreMost doctors face malpractice claims sooner or later
Most doctors in Ohio and around the country will face medical malpractice litigation sooner or later. Studies reveal that more than half of the doctors in America over the age of 55 have defended themselves in such a lawsuit, and their legal costs average $30,000 even when the claims against them are dropped or dismissed.…
Read MoreAPGAR scores: Know their importance
When you’re pregnant or expecting a child with your partner, one of the things you’ll learn about is the APGAR score. an APGAR score is given to newborns to identify their overall health. An APGAR score is important, because it identifies the baby’s appearance, pulse, grimace, activity and respiration following birth (APGAR). Using this test,…
Read MoreER diagnostic errors big source of malpractice claims
Medical professionals who work in Ohio hospital emergency departments face high pressure when diagnosing patients. They typically see people during a crisis, and they might not know much about the medical history of patients prior to seeing them. This sometimes disrupts their ability to accurately assess medical problems. A study of over 1,300 closed malpractice…
Read MorePatients mistakenly diagnosed with burning mouth syndrome
There are many people in Ohio who may be experiencing a burning sensation in their mouth. If they go to their doctor, though, there is a chance that their condition may be misdiagnosed as burning mouth syndrome. BMS is a condition affecting anywhere from 4% to 10% of the population, and no one knows for…
Read MoreWhy causation can be hard to prove in malpractice cases
One of the most challenging elements of a medical malpractice claim is proving causation. Malpractice laws in Ohio say that plaintiffs must prove two things: that the defendant did not adhere to a generally accepted standard of medical care, and that this negligence led to the injuries in question. It is that second step that…
Read MoreTraining could reduce risk of medication errors
When Ohio residents visit a hospital or doctor, they are relying on a professional’s judgment. While prescription medication can be an important part of restoring health and treating illness, medication errors can also be a common cause of patient injuries. Because prescription medicines can have serious side effects or interactions with other medicine, it is…
Read MoreFDA warns of a battery-depletion problem in some pacemakers
Early May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a warning about a battery-depletion problem in some Medtronic pacemakers. Although no recall was issued, the FDA warns patients who use certain models of Medtronic pacemakers to be watchful for signs of a low battery. How are some pacemakers malfunctioning? The batteries in some Medtronic…
Read MoreSurvey: Lewy body dementia often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s
Lewy body dementia can be confused with the dementia that results from Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, a recent survey from the Lewy Body Dementia Association found that 80% of participants with LBD were misdiagnosed as having Alzheimer’s. These patients had to see an average of three doctors before receiving an accurate diagnosis. Ohio residents may…
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