New York has many experienced and respected doctors, but no medical professional is immune to making mistakes. A medical case from Europe that spanned over 20 years illustrates the problems that can be caused by a misdiagnosis. In this case, two diseases, Gaucher disease and myelofibrosis, were confused.
When a New York patient suddenly finds a new growth on their skin, they should seek immediate attention to rule out any potentially deadly cancers, such as Merkel cell carcinoma. This rare cancer first appears as a nodule on the skin that may be skin-colored or bluish-red in color. While they usually first appear on the head, neck or face, they can spread to other parts of the body quickly if they are not dealt with in a timely manner.
In New York hospitals, drug shortages can be a major obstacle. When there are shortages of certain drugs, medication errors may be more likely to occur, especially if they have an impact on the methods for compounding sterile products. Establishing preparedness processes and best practices can help ensure that hospitals are prepared for shortages and able to mitigate any errors these shortages could potentially cause.
People in long-term care facilities in New York and around the country can be at particular risk of harm due to medication errors and the improper prescription of antibiotics. In particular, when antibiotics are used improperly to treat urinary tract infections, patients can be put at elevated risk of harm, especially due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. These types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a major threat not only inside long-term care facilities but to overall public health.
The medical community in New York does a better job of diagnosing and treating heart disease in men than in women. This disparity results from gender-based differences in symptoms and variations in cardiovascular disease between the sexes.
