A primary concern along the continuum of healthcare services continuum is Misdiagnosed Diseases, as they may result in inappropriate treatment and other negative consequences for the patients. The purpose of this article is to highlight a series of diseases that are often misdiagnosed, the signs and symptoms that can aid in their identification, and how a review of the medical records can assist the lawyers in addressing the problems adequately.
Commonly Misdiagnosed Diseases
Heart Attack
Overview: A heart attack is frequently mistaken for anxiety or episodes of indigestion and, in particular, heart attacks are more common in women.
Symptoms: Pain in the chest, dyspnoea, nausea, and fatigue.
Stroke
Overview: Strokes may sometimes be confused with migraines, headaches, or seizures that will cause needed help to be administered too late.
Symptoms: Weakness or numbness suddenly, confusion, comprehension problems, and headache of great intensity.
Lyme disease
Overview: Flu or arthritis due to overlap in signs is confused with Lyme disease the most.
Symptoms: Fever, malaise, pain in joints, and a distinctive rash.
Fibromyalgia
Overview: With depression or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as its common aggravating illness, fibromyalgia is the most misdiagnosed illness.
Symptoms: Pain all over the body, trouble sleeping, and memory problems.
Cancer
Overview: Many malignant tumours can be misinterpreted as simpler, less serious ailments resulting in delays in treatment.
Symptoms: Sudden gain or loss of weight without reason, nagging pain, alteration of bowel and bladder functions.
Things That Need Attention
Unexplained Signs and Symptoms: Signs and symptoms that last for extended periods, called persistent signs, show no movement despite treatments being given.
Health Changes: Sudden movements or change making in mental aspects like in how one thinks and moves the body.
Threats: The family of a diseased person may lead to misdiagnosis if there is a condition that runs in the family.
The Importance of Single-Patient Record Reviews for Legal Case Work
Medical record review is one of the key components for a lawyer dealing with cases of misdiagnosis. This step consists in:
Wording Analyses: Noting files where a patient’s record contains errors pertaining course of diagnosis alongside treatment suggests that the surges they include must be consulted.
Guardians of the Standardised Plan: Confirmed with their own defined guidelines the basic human care.
Building A Strong Case: Gathering sufficient details that prove negligence or malpractice claims.
Legal Consequences of Misdiagnosis
Patient Entitlements: Patients should have their requirements legally protected for providing correct diagnosis and a satisfactory level of service.
Legal Proceedings: Patients, who are misdiagnosed, are entitled to file malpractice lawsuits against the physicians/services.
Case Studies
Case Study 1: Overview, Challenges, Solutions, Compensation
Overview: A patient came to the hospital showcasing symptoms of heart attack but was diagnosed/treated for anxiety.
Challenges: Earlier files did not capture the risk factors of the patient’s medical condition.
Solutions: Thorough investigation of the medical records indicated other-associated issues like heart attacks that were ignored.
Compensation: The patient was afforded reimbursement for medical attention and suffering due to undue stress.
Case Study 2: Overview, Challenges, Solutions, Compensation
Overview: A woman suffering from persistent pain in the joints was diagnosed with arthritis instead of Lyme disease.
Challenges: The corresponding diagnosis caused delay in treatment along with aggravating symptoms.
Solutions: Analysis of medical records led to identifying absent crucial tests for Lyme disease.
Compensation: The claimant received compensation for the wages that she was deprived of and the medical care that was ongoing.
Conclusion
The negative consequences that arise from misdiagnosis in healthcare is an issue of utmost importance. Patients can take better control over their health by knowing what diseases are commonly misdiagnosed, their symptoms, and how they affect him or her. Patients are entitled to justice, and advocates have a powerful weapon in the form of the medical records review in order to help build strong cases for the abuse of medical power by misdiagnosis.
