Top Medical Conditions Misdiagnosed In Florida ERs

Misdiagnosis is often referred to as the “blind spot” of the medical field, akin to when motorists do not see an obstacle because they just did not look hard enough. The comparison might be a stretch, but eliminating diagnostic errors remains one of the most important imperatives in medicine. In hospital emergency departments, the problem is even more pronounced. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services, ERs are notorious as high-risks settings for mistakes in diagnosis. Researchers point toward the fast-paced environment, understaffing, and failure to review medical charts as factors.

However, misdiagnosis in the ER is very different from other medical contexts. The so-called “Big Three” in diagnostic errors – cancer, vascular disease, and infection – are not medical conditions that patients typically present with when seeking emergency treatment. Fortunately, these cases are still covered by medical malpractice laws, and a Miami misdiagnosis attorney can assist with your legal remedies. A list of the top diagnosis mistakes in the ER may also be helpful. 

Pulmonary Embolism 

This condition occurs when an artery in the lungs becomes blocked, often by a clot that has migrated from the arms, legs, or other parts of the body. Symptoms include shortness of breath, elevated heart rate, wheezing, and faintness. Because these signs could indicate other medical conditions, health care providers should order additional screenings to confirm a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Examples include chest x-ray, CT scan, or pulmonary angiogram. 

Heart Attack in Women 

Just as the male and female forms are different, so is the body’s reaction to an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Unlike men, women typically do not experience chest discomfort and tingling or pain radiating down the left arm. Instead, ER doctors should take the following signs as an indication for further examination:

• Neck and jaw pain
• Discomfort in the shoulders and upper back
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting.

 Chest Pain 

A patient that presents with chest pain could be suffering from a wide array of medical conditions, so it could be a case of negligence if an ER physician diagnoses AMI without a more thorough probe. The proper first step is getting more information from the patient, particularly the location and dull versus sharp nature of the pain. Reviewing the medical chart is also essential for determining the presence of other conditions that could be the cause of chest pain. For a proper differential diagnosis, a doctor should order an electrocardiogram, blood tests, and MRI. 

Abdominal Pain 

The biggest concern with a misdiagnosis of abdominal discomfort is that it is often a symptom of a ruptured appendix and/or appendicitis. These conditions can be life-threatening or fatal if the ER physician sends the patient home. 

Discuss Your Options with Our Florida Medical Misdiagnosis Lawyers

 Regardless of the specific diagnostic error, health care providers are liable for patient harm when they deliver treatment that deviates from accepted medical standards. To learn more about your options, please contact Freidin Brown, P.A. to set up a free consultation. We can meet with you at our offices in Miami or Fort Myers to explain Florida medical malpractice laws.

Resource:

effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/diagnostic-errors-emergency/protocol#2