The failure to diagnose or treat a serious medical condition can cause a treatable condition to worsen to the point that a patient suffers a catastrophic injury or death.  

 

Common diagnostic errors include: 

 

• Failure to consider and rule in or rule out serious medical conditions or diseases

 

• Failure to order appropriate tests to rule in or rule out serious medical conditions or diseases

 

• Failure to review and advise patient of concerning lab results or imaging studies

 

• Failure to interpret imaging studies correctly

 

• Failure to consider alternative diagnoses while continuing to treat symptoms as condition or disease worsens

 

• Failure to determine cause of post-surgical issues, including fever, increased heart rate, falling blood pressure, and/or lack of urine output

 

• Failure of nursing staff to notify physician of decline in patient's condition, includiing changes in vital signs, urine output, and mental status

 

Failure to treat cases include the following circumstances:

 

• Failure to order appropriate treatment for condition or disease

 

• Failure of nursing or other hospital staff to comply with doctor's orders for treatment

 

• Failure of hospital to assure system controls to assure patient receives timely and proper treatment

 

If you or a family member have suffered a catastrophic injury or loss due to medical malpractice, contact Bill Maddix, your Minnesota medical malpractice lawyer, for a free consultation.