In healthcare, diagnoses serve as the cornerstone of treatment and recovery. They guide medical interventions, shape patient journeys, and ultimately determine outcomes. Yet, what happens when these medical diagnoses miss the mark? Diagnostic errors are a silent yet profound threat to individuals and families. Diagnostic errors occur when a diagnosis is missed, wrong, or delayed, leading to severe patient consequences. Medical misdiagnosis and other diagnostic errors can stem from many factors, including misinterpretation of symptoms, flawed testing processes, communication breakdowns among healthcare providers, and even systemic issues within healthcare systems.
Research Concludes Burden of Serious Harm from Diagnostic Errors
An article first published on July 17, 2023, and updated on August 8, 2023, by BMJ Quality & Safety sheds light on the staggering burden of serious harms resulting from diagnostic errors. The study aimed to estimate the annual US burden of serious misdiagnosis-related harms. The findings by BMJ Quality, which were also reported in Johns Hopkins Medicine, are sobering, concluding that diagnostic errors contribute to a significant portion of adverse events in healthcare settings.
According to the original research of BMJ Quality, Burden of serious harms from diagnostic error in the USA, it was concluded that “an estimated 795,000 Americans die or are permanently disabled by diagnostic error each year, making it the single largest source of serious harms from medical mistakes.” The results suggest that diagnostic error is probably “the single largest source of death across all care settings linked to medical error.” These errors can occur in any healthcare setting, including emergency departments, primary care clinics, specialty care clinics, and inpatient settings.
According to the BMJ Quality research, Diagnostic error or medical misdiagnosis of just 15 diseases accounted for about half of all severe harm. The research found that diagnostic errors involving the ‘Big Three’ categories together – infection, vascular, and cancer – accounted for 50% of the serious harms. Among these, five conditions were linked to the largest number of serious harms. They included stroke misdiagnosis, sepsis, pneumonia, venous thromboembolism (blood clot in a vein), and lung cancer.
The Human Toll of Medical Misdiagnosis
Behind these study numbers lies a far more poignant narrative—the human toll of diagnostic errors. Beyond the statistics are individuals and families grappling with the aftermath of misdiagnoses. It’s a narrative of silent suffering, where patients endure unnecessary pain, complications, and even loss of life due to diagnostic errors. Often, a family is left grappling with unanswered questions and unspoken grief.
A medical misdiagnosis, a delayed diagnosis, or a healthcare professional’s failure to diagnose can result in severe consequences for a patient. This can include serious injury caused by a worsening condition or the tragic loss of life. Diagnostic errors can result in delayed treatment, incorrect treatment, incorrect medication, or missed preventative measures. This can all lead to a worsening of a patient’s condition. In the event of a severe illness, diagnostic errors can be life-threatening.
If you or a family member has suffered harm from medical misdiagnosis or another diagnostic error, consult with a skilled medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced attorney will closely examine the facts and evaluate your case. An experienced diagnostic error attorney can help you seek compensation for injury caused by medical misdiagnosis. This might include medical bills, long-term care expenses, rehab, loss of wages, and pain and suffering.
Schedule a Consultation Today
It’s time to move beyond the numbers and unveil the human toll of diagnostic errors. If you’ve suffered physical or emotional harm due to a diagnostic error, contact a medical misdiagnosis attorney at Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen, LLC today. Our experienced DKY medical malpractice attorneys will meet with you to discuss if negligence on the part of your healthcare provider caused harm. In the event of medical malpractice, there are steps we can help you take to get the justice you deserve. Tap to contact DKY for a no-obligation case evaluation.
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States and stroke misdiagnosis is a major healthcare problem. Learning the risk factors and warning signs of a stroke can help you to better advocate for yourself and those you love. If you believe you or someone you’re with may be having a stroke, pay close attention to the time symptoms began. Certain treatment options may depend on the time that has passed.
Symptoms & Signs of a Stroke
Trouble speaking or understanding what others are saying. This might include slurring words or having difficulty understanding speech.
Sudden onset of a severe headache. This may be accompanied by dizziness and vomiting.
Paralysis, weakness, or numbness of the face, arm, or leg. This may develop suddenly and often affects just one side of the body
Problems seeing in one or both eyes. This might include blurred, dimmed, or double vision in one or both eyes.
Trouble walking. This may include dizziness, loss of coordination, or difficulty walking.
Fainting and confusion.
Stroke Warning Signs
Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the above signs of a stroke. A good test if you notice these signs in someone you’re with is remembering to act “FAST”. FACE – Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop? ARMS – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one drift downward or is unable to rise? SPEECH – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange? TIME – If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 911 or seek immediate emergency medical help.
Understand the risk factors of a stroke
There are many risk factors for a stroke. Some are lifestyle choices that you can control, others are medical in nature. Reduce your stroke risk by working to reduce your risk factors wherever possible. Risk factors of stroke include:
High blood pressure
Obesity/poor diet
High cholesterol
Smoking
Diabetes
Sickle cell disease
Family history of stroke
Cardiovascular disease
Physical inactivity
Heavy or binge drinking
Illegal drugs
Previous stroke or transient ischemic attack
Birth control pills
As we mentioned and you can see with the risk factors, some are controllable. Working with your family doctor to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in the normal range, as well as quitting smoking and cutting down on drinking can help. Getting active, eating healthy, staying at a healthy weight, and lowering your stress levels are all controllable and can help you reduce the risk of stroke as well.
Type of strokes
2 Main types of strokes
Ischemic Stroke
An ischemic stroke happens when a blood vessel supplying blood to your brain gets blocked by a blood clot. The majority of strokes are ischemic. Symptoms of an ischemic stroke can include many of those we mentioned above. You are more likely to have an ischemic stroke if you are over age 60, smoke, and have high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
A hemorrhagic stroke happens when bleeding in the brain damages nearby cells. The most common causes of this type of stroke are high blood pressure, injury, bleeding disorders, cocaine use, and an aneurysm. Symptoms can include intense headache, confusion, nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light, problems with vision, and fainting.
Transient Ischemic Attack or Mini Stroke
A TMI or mini-stroke is a temporary blockage of the blood flow to your brain. The symptoms might last for just a few minutes or may last longer. The symptoms of TIA are similar to those we mentioned above under the symptoms & signs of a stroke. Risk factors can include age, obesity, smoking, family history, atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease.
Stroke Misdiagnosis
Being better prepared and knowing the warning signs of a stroke can help you seek treatment faster. Teach your children and others in your family about FAST. Precious moments count when it comes to a stroke. When a stroke victim’s signs and symptoms have been misdiagnosed, it can lead to a tragic delay in treatment. If you believe you or a family member are the victims of stroke misdiagnosis or a delay in diagnosis and treatment on the part of a medical professional, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. A misdiagnosed stroke can have long-lasting consequences. Contact Distasio & Kowalski stroke misdiagnosis lawyers to see if you have a medical malpractice case.
We’ve all heard about the real danger of stroke and stroke misdiagnosis. Perhaps you’ve even had a family member or friend suffer from a debilitating stroke. Stroke is the number 2 most common cause of death worldwide, according to the American Stroke Association (ASA). Every 40 seconds on average, an American will have a stroke, according to the American College of Cardiology. Startling, but true. In fact, about 750,000 Americans have a new recurring stroke annually.
An article written by a long-time neurologist and published last year in the Washington Post suggested that “too many people die from a stroke because treatment is delayed.” He wrote that although for more than two decades neurologists and other emergency health providers have had access to a drug to restore blood flow to the brain, limiting the damage caused by a stroke, only about 4 percent of stroke patients actually receive the medication. The drug referred to is tissue plasminogen activator or tPA as it is more commonly called. It is a potent blood thinner. For tPA to be effective, it must be used within the first few hours of a patient experiencing a stroke.
Types of Strokes
You may hear about the dangers of a stroke, but you may not really understand what a stroke is. In simple terms, a stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is stopped or interrupted. Stroke can happen to anyone at any time. The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to work correctly. When blood flow stops, even for a short period of time, brain cells can begin to die from lack of oxygen. When brain cells die, brain function can be lost, and long-term damage can result.
Two types of stroke include ischemic stroke, which is caused by a blood clot, and hemorrhagic stroke, which is caused by bleeding. Ischemic stroke is the most common kind of stroke. This is the type of stroke that tPA can be effective in treating. Ischemic strokes account for approximately 87 percent of all strokes. They can happen when a major blood vessel to the brain is blocked be either by a clot or some type of plaque buildup. The buildup can be due to cholesterol, fat or another substance. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and the blood leaks into nearby brain tissue. This may cause a buildup of pressure which causes further damage.
Stroke misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis
The specific type of stroke means a difference in medical treatment, so a quick and accurate diagnosis is imperative. Delayed stroke diagnosis or stroke misdiagnosis can mean valuable time lost when it comes to effectively treating a stroke victim. Failure to determine the specific type of stroke or misdiagnosing a stroke as another illness can drastically impact a patient’s chance of recovery. Stroke misdiagnosis may result in a brain hemorrhage, permanent brain damage and possibly death.
What are the signs of a stroke?
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing or blurred vision in one or both eyes
Unforeseen trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Problems with movement or walking
Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Call 911 immediately if you or a loved one experiences any of the above signs. Take note of the time the signs began as well. Responding medical team and hospital staff will need to know.
How is a stroke diagnosed and stroke misdiagnosis avoided?
X-ray asian skull and blank area at left side
As we’ve spoken about above, stroke misdiagnosis can have dangerous results for a stroke victim. A fast and accurate diagnosis of a stroke is imperative for effective treatment and recovery. That’s why it’s so imperative that healthcare providers diagnose quickly and accurately. Tests for stroke can include a CT scan of the brain, MRI, or CTA (computed tomographic angiography) among others. Proper testing can help avoid stroke misdiagnosis. Your physician will create a treatment plan based on various factors. Treatment is most effective when it is started quickly. Recovery from stroke is often dependent on the quickness and accurateness of diagnosis and treatment, as well as the size and location of the stroke.
Know the risk factors of stroke
Are you at risk for stroke? Knowing your risk factors may help you to change things in your control to lower your risk. Here are some risk factors to watch out for. Some can be changed by you or managed medically. It’s always smart to be aware.
High blood pressure – High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of both stroke and heart disease. High blood pressure causes plaque to build up faster and can also cause blood vessels to weaken and break. It can be a cause of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. If you have high blood pressure, speak to your physician about ways to lower it.
Heart disease – If you suffer from some forms of heart disease, you may be at increased risk of a stroke. Again, speak to your physician regarding combatting this.
Diabetes – High blood sugar can also increase your risk of stroke. It’s essential to carefully manage this.
Smoking – Smoking is a major risk factor for stroke that is also preventable. If you are a smoker, quit now to lower your risk.
History of TIAs (transient ischemic attacks) or mini-strokes as they are commonly called.
High cholesterol and lipids – Monitoring and controlling your cholesterol may help you reduce your risk of stroke.
Obesity & diet – Staying at a healthy weight and reducing your intake of saturated fats can help you reduce your risk of stroke. Diets high in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol can raise your cholesterol levels, increasing your risk. Diets high in sodium can increase your blood pressure, which also increases your risk.
Lack of exercise – Staying physically active can also help reduce your risk. Physical inactivity not only increases your risk of stroke but also heart disease.
Excessive alcohol or illegal drug use
Age – Your risk of stroke increases in people over 55 years of age and continues to increase as you get older.
Heredity and ethnicity – Stroke is more common in people who have a family history of stroke. African Americans and Hispanic Americans are also at a higher risk.
Take a quick stroke risk quiz online to assess your risk by clicking here.
F.A.S.T.
The American Stroke Association recommends that people remember F.A.S.T. when it comes to identifying a stroke quickly.
Face drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb?
Arm weakness – Is one arm week or numb?
Speech problems – Is speech slurred?
Time to call 911 – If someone is showing any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.
Stroke medical malpractice
Stroke misdiagnosis can be very dangerous. We can’t mention enough that it is crucial that a stroke is diagnosed and treated quickly to minimize the long-term effects. If tPA isn’t administered within 3 hours of the start of symptoms or a patient doesn’t get the necessary surgery to stop brain bleeding, the consequences of a stroke can be permanently incapacitating. When a healthcare provider fails to accurately diagnose a stroke, a patient may suffer serious brain damage that might have been avoided with a fast diagnosis and proper treatment. Physicians, ER staff and other healthcare providers should be well aware of the warning signs and symptoms of a stroke. They should also address the risk factors when taking a patient history.
Medical standard of care
If you or a loved one suffered serious harm because a physician failed to follow the “medical standard of care,” you may have a medical malpractice case. The “medical standard of care” is defined as the level and type of care that a reasonably competent and skilled healthcare professional, with a similar background and in the same medical community, would have provided under the same circumstances. It is a possibility that the standard of care might have been violated when a physician fails to recognize the common signs of stroke or diagnoses the stroke but fails to give the proper treatment. Standard of care may have been violated if a health provider failed to take a proper medical history, failed to order appropriate tests or through a negligent surgical error. If you suspect medical negligence, it may be time to consult a medical malpractice expert.
Consulting a stroke medical malpractice attorney regarding stroke misdiagnosis
The financial effects of a debilitating stroke can have a devastating effect on a family. It can mean extensive medical and rehab bills, loss of work, and loss of quality of life. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury due to a hospital or physician’s failure to diagnose or properly treat a stroke, you may want to speak to a medical malpractice attorney.
An experienced stroke medical malpractice lawyer will be able to conduct a thorough investigation to discover if the appropriate standard of care was met. A medical malpractice attorney can analyze the medical records, conduct interviews and look at the extent of the injury. They can determine through this investigation if a healthcare provider failed to miss a common warning sign of stroke, failed to exercise reasonable care while evaluating a patient, failed to obtain a thorough history, or failed to administer life-saving treatment, among other medical errors. They may or may not find some type of negligent medical error and can advise you as to whether or not to pursue a medical malpractice case.
Speak to a Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen stroke medical malpractice attorney in Wilkes-Barre today by calling 855-970-5400. Read more about medical malpractice or medical misdiagnosis on our website.
