Wrong Type of Disease Diagnosed
One of the most serious forms of medical malpractice occurs when the wrong type of disease is diagnosed. Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose is though to cause 30 to 40 percent of all deaths from medical malpractice. Wrong type of diagnosis occurs when a medical professional diagnoses the wrong condition, which may result in serious injury or even death.
How does this happen?
The wrong type of disease diagnosis is not uncommon because a number of conditions share the same signs and symptoms. For example, if you complain to your doctor that you're suffering from chest pains, he may diagnosis you with heartburn or indigestion when you're really having a heart attack. According to a number of studies, heart attacks are one of the most misdiagnosed conditions.
In other cases, the wrong type of disease is diagnosed if the condition is rare or there is a lack of understanding about a disease. A doctor or medical professional may diagnose the wrong disease in lieu of conducting the appropriate testing. There are also a number of underdiagnosed conditions and overdiagnosed conditions , which are frequently involved in cases of the wrong type of disease diagnosed.
Consequences of a misdiagnosed disease
When the wrong type of disease is diagnosed, the correct treatment for the real condition is halted, putting the patient's life at risk. Many patients may suffer severe harm or die because their real conditions weren't properly identified and treated.
Furthermore, when the wrong type of disease is diagnosed, the patient may begin treatment for the misdiagnosed disease, which can cause severe adverse effects and even death. For example, if a patient is wrongly diagnosed with cancer and begins chemotherapy, the treatments can potentially threaten the life of the patient.
Medical Malpractice 