How Misdiagnosis Happens

What would you do if someone you were expected to trust causes you serious harm? Unfortunately, this happens in some situations in which medical professionals fail to honor their duty of care, leading to serious problems.

One problem that can occur as a result of negligence is misdiagnosis. Medical professionals may misdiagnose a patient for a number of reasons, but regardless of the situation, it can lead to long-term damage.

What Causes Misdiagnosis

Determining the exact cause of the misdiagnosis can be difficult, but there are some common situations that often lead to this type of situation. Understanding what to look for can help you ensure you’re receiving the treatment you deserve without any problems.

• Understaffed hospitals: Understaffed hospitals mean that those who are available are often rushing from patient to patient. As a result, they may diagnose problems based on very few symptoms.
• Untrained staff: When staff members are not properly trained, they may not get the right information to the doctor or they may miss a vital test.
• Miscommunication: Medical records are often passed from one area of a hospital to the next when a patient goes from one department to another. If communications is inadequate, the wrong information may be passed along.
• Improper testing: When a doctor orders tests, they have a general idea of what may be wrong with a patient. If the tests performed are the wrong tests or results are not read correctly, it can lead to a misdiagnosis.

If a patient is misdiagnosed, it means they are not going to receive proper treatment, putting them at risk of further injury or allowing the condition to worsen. This can lead to long-term medical problems for the patient.

Negligent doctors should be held accountable for the injuries sustained from a misdiagnosis. Our Philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys at The Beasley Firm are dedicated to standing by the sides of those who have been wrongfully harmed.

Call us today to discuss your potential situation.