While the severity of the consequences depends upon the condition, any delay or failure in the diagnosis of an illness or disease essentially translates into a failure to get patients the medical treatment they need in a timely fashion. Residents of Massachusetts who...
Failure To Diagnose
Failure to make an accurate diagnosis can be life-threatening
When it comes to serious health conditions, sometimes a prompt diagnosis can make all the difference in the outcome. A delay or a failure to make an accurate diagnosis could, in some cases, be life threatening or even fatal. Every day, hundreds - if not thousands - of...
Alleged failure to diagnose tragically ends in man’s suicide
For most Massachusetts residents, the scenario sounds like something out of a bad dream: A patient is admitted to a hospital only to be discharged within hours then die less than two days later of the very illness for which he or she was originally seen at the...
Maternal cardiac arrest has early warning signs
When you are sick, you want your North Adams doctor to be able to identify what the problem is and get you the prescription or the procedure that gets you back on your feet. Pregnancy issues can be different, though. Although your OB/GYN runs tests and watches for...
When should you seek a second opinion?
Timely, correct diagnosis of cancer is important for developing an effective treatment plan. Sometimes, this means seeking out additional medical expertise beyond your current Massachusetts health care provider. Here are a few signs that it is time to consult another...
Referrals often result in new diagnosis
When you visit your provider in Massachusetts because of troubling symptoms, he or she may determine a treatment plan for you. However, many doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners decide to refer their patients to a specialist. At Donovan O’Connor...
Study finds misdiagnosis of strokes common in young patients
A stroke is one condition that requires rapid medical attention, regardless of the severity of the symptoms, and Massachusetts patients trust their doctors to recognize the warning signs. However, recent evidence suggests that physicians may misdiagnose strokes in an...
Failure to Diagnose
Chest pain is perhaps the most recognizable symptom of a heart attack, but sometimes it is minimal or not present at all. A patient suffering from one of these silent attacks may disregard other symptoms or not notice them. All heart attacks, diagnosed or undiagnosed,...
Is your diagnosis raising red flags?
You trust your Massachusetts doctor to provide the right diagnosis and the right treatment. Unfortunately, errors in diagnosis are common, and a missed diagnosis may mean that you do not get the treatment you need. Receiving unnecessary treatments after an incorrect...
The extreme risks of central nervous system malignancies
A diagnosis of malignant tumors in the brain or spinal cord is a terrible situation for Massachusetts residents and their families. When doctors miss the warning signs of brain and spinal tumors or opt to delay treatment, patients face worsening health, steep medical...