$3.34 million malpractice settlement after man loses arm
When people seek medical care in New York, they expect health care personnel to make reasonable treatment choices. The case of a 30-year-old man who ended up losing his right arm illustrates the extent of damage that can occur when medical errors take place. The outcome of arbitration produced a settlement of $3.34 million for his pain, suffering, medical expenses and the compromised ability to earn a living.
The role of communication issues in medical errors
If medical errors were classified as a cause of death, they would be ranked below heart disease and cancer as the third leading cause of death in the U.S. A 2016 study in the BMJ estimated that 250,000 deaths occur each year in this nation because of medical errors. New York residents should know that many of these errors grow out of simple communication issues.
Study looks at accuracy of cancer test
When New York men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, doctors might also use a test known as prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography imaging to determine whether the cancer has metastasized. When PSMA is detected as a highly expressive enzyme in tissue, it can be an indication that the cancer is spreading.
Study shows many acute optic neuritis patients misdiagnosed
People in New York typically approach eye doctors when they are experiencing eye pain or vision problems. Time constraints on doctors and their failure to think about alternative diagnoses could result in diagnostic mistakes when patients present with symptoms somewhat out of the ordinary. An analysis of 122 patients diagnosed with acute optic neuritis and referred to a university neuro-ophthalmology clinic determined that 59.8 percent of them had received the wrong diagnosis.
Overlooked factors that could lead to a medical error
Patients in New York and throughout the country could be exposed to a wide range of medication errors. These mistakes could result in a worsened condition or other negative consequences. However, not all types of errors are accounted for unless there is an adverse event. For instance, many medical offices and hospitals use electronic health records. One problem that can occur is ordering medication for the wrong person.
NPA’s quarterly report shows increase in pharmacist errors
The National Pharmacy Association has released its quarterly report on patient safety errors among community pharmacists. The three-month period between April and June 2018 has seen a startling 64 percent increase in the number of such errors compared to the previous quarter. Patients in New York will want to know what some of the factors are.
Study finds failure to diagnose AMD
Some older people in New York who are in the early stages of age-related macular degeneration may not be properly diagnosed. A study by researchers at the University of Alabama, Birmingham that was published in “JAMA Ophthalmology” found that one quarter of patients who had signs of the condition were not diagnosed.
Cause of disease linked to childhood seizures identified
Statistically, not too many new parents in New York will have an infant with infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE), an early childhood seizure disorder. But when children do have it, it can contribute to intellectual and developmental delays and issues with physical movements related to cognitive processing. Even when children with EIEE are on medication, frequent and debilitating seizures may still occur as much as 50 times a day. Researchers have now identified the genetic cause of this neurological disorder.
Avoiding medical errors in the hospital
People in New York who have to seek medical care at the hospital may be better served by not going in the afternoon. Like in other occupations, people who work in the hospital are likely to experience fatigue and a reduction in productivity after lunch. However, when nurses and doctors experience fatigue, the outcome can be life-threatening.
Mothers at risk of injury or death in childbirth
When mothers in New York go to the hospital for childbirth, they may expect to receive exceptional care to protect their health and lives during delivery. However, the United States has the highest maternal injury and mortality rate among developed countries. Every year, around 700 mothers die in childbirth and 50,000 mothers suffer severe injuries.