Quick Facts
- Misdiagnoses can include wrong, missed, or late diagnoses
- Diagnostic errors contribute to 10% of patient deaths
- 75% of misdiagnoses involve negligence
- Commonly misdiagnosed conditions include cancer, asthma, and diabetes
What Constitutes a Medical Misdiagnosis?
- Three types of misdiagnosis: wrong, missed, and late
- Misdiagnosis can have serious consequences for patients
- Some misdiagnoses are only discovered after a second opinion or patient’s death
Statistics on Misdiagnosis
- Most people will experience a misdiagnosis in their lifetime
- Around 12 million people are misdiagnosed annually
- 20% of patients with serious conditions receive a wrong diagnosis from their primary care provider
- Potentially dire consequences in 28% of misdiagnoses cases
- Misdiagnosis occurs more frequently than medication errors or wrong-site surgery
Frequently Misdiagnosed Conditions
- Birth injuries
- Strokes
- Cancer
- Lupus
- Asthma
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Lyme disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Appendicitis
- Migraines
- Diabetes
- Celiac disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Pulmonary embolism
Reasons Behind Misdiagnoses
- Inattentive or distracted doctors
- Ignoring certain symptoms
- Errors by nurses or other healthcare providers
- Lab results errors
- Miscommunication among healthcare professionals
Doctor’s Responsibilities
- Provide standard care according to their profession
- Identify and respond to signs of serious illnesses
- When standard care is not provided, doctor may be held accountable for malpractice
Determining Malpractice in Misdiagnosis Cases
- Existence of a doctor-patient relationship
- Doctor’s negligence in providing care
- Negligence leading to patient’s injuries
- Injuries being costly or painful
FAQs
- What is considered a medical misdiagnosis?
A medical misdiagnosis can be a wrong, missed, or late diagnosis, and all three types can have serious consequences for a patient. - How common are misdiagnoses?
Misdiagnoses are quite common, affecting around 12 million people every year. Most people will experience a misdiagnosis at some point in their lives. - What conditions are frequently misdiagnosed?
Some commonly misdiagnosed conditions include cancer, asthma, diabetes, lupus, and migraines, among others. - What factors contribute to misdiagnoses?
Factors that can lead to misdiagnosis include inattentive or distracted doctors, ignoring certain symptoms, errors by nurses or other healthcare providers, lab results errors, and miscommunication among healthcare professionals. - How can I determine if my misdiagnosis is considered malpractice?
A misdiagnosis may be considered malpractice if there is a doctor-patient relationship, the doctor was negligent in providing care, the negligence led to the patient’s injuries, and the injuries were costly or painful. It is best to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney to determine if you have a case.
Reach Out to Our Albuquerque Medical Misdiagnosis Attorneys
If you believe you’ve experienced a misdiagnosis and want to explore your legal options, contact our Albuquerque medical misdiagnosis lawyers for a free consultation. We will listen to your story, investigate your case, and help you determine if you have a viable medical malpractice claim.