Articles

Patient claims physician mistakenly removed her ovaries

Consent is of utmost importance when it comes to surgical procedures. Women, for example, expect extreme caution when medical professionals are considering procedures that can impact their reproductive organs. As a result, the medical community expects professionals to disclose these risks and receive consent from the patient for the procedure before the physician can move forward with the proposed form of care.

Unnecessary medical testing doing more harm than good for patients?

Advances in healthcare have led to the development of many in-depth diagnostic and condition management tests. Over time, many of these tests, including X-rays and PET scans, can expose patients to potentially harmful levels of radiation. Other types of procedures are more invasive and can lead to even more testing without positive result. The tests may also lead to a course of treatment that doesn't improve the quality of the patient's life.

New study suggests every patient will experience a missed or late diagnosis

New research from the Institute of Medicine indicates diagnostic errors or delays occur so frequently that every patient will experience one at some point. The precise rate at which serious diagnostic errors occur in Phoenix and other parts of Arizona is difficult to identify, given the nature of these mistakes. However, according to U.S. News, the available data shows that misdiagnosis and failure to diagnose are fairly common causes of death and factors in successful medical malpractice claims.

Retained sponges: Are you at risk?

Thousands of people in the United States are victims of retained surgical sponges but technology could fix the problem.

Prolific use of C-Sections criticized in recent studies

A common life-saving birth procedure is the Cesarean Section. This type of procedure is especially useful when the delivery process has stopped or slowed; the baby is not in a position to be delivered vaginally; or if the baby shows signs of distress. In many cases a C-Section can mean the difference between life and death for a mother or a child.

Study suggests anesthesia errors could be avoided with better IV labels

When you are having a surgical procedure, you probably are worried about many things. However, the design of IV bags used during the operation probably are not among them. Unfortunately, the findings of a recent study published in the Journal of Patient Safety may give you cause to change your mind. The study found that traditionally labeled IV bags, which have the drug information printed on one side of a clear bag, may significantly raise the possibility of a major type of surgical error: an anesthesia error.

New study reveals pathologist disagreement in breast cancer diagnoses

The misdiagnosis of cancer or other illnesses can result in serious consequences for patients. According to a report released in 2009 that was funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, for every 583 diagnostic mistakes reported anonymously by healthcare professionals, 28 percent resulted in death, permanent disability or a life-threatening situation.

Push towards digital medicine could lead to patient-safety errors

The federal government says it will soon begin penalizing doctors that do not use electronic patient records, according to USA Today. The penalties are part of a push by Health and Human Services (HHS) towards digital medicine, which it says will lead to greater efficiency and better patient safety. However, many medical groups are warning that the rapid pace of digitization is coming despite potential risks posed by electronic record keeping to patients. Many doctors insist that the technology is not yet developed enough and that the rapid pace of change could lead to medical errors.

Elder abuse law: Arizona Supreme Court rules hospitals are not exempt

The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that hospitals are not exempt from the state’s elder abuse prevention law.

Study highlights dangers of injury to infant with breech delivery

A new study finds that infants who are born breeched face high risks, including birth asphyxia.

Thousands of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy every year in the US

Nearly 10,000 infants per year are diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a condition with an average financial impact of $921,000 over a lifetime.

Expert’s testimony on patient’s transfer to the ICU improperly excluded

Under Arizona's Medical Malpractice Act, a patient must present evidence to establish the applicable standard of medical care, and then show that the health care provider fell below that standard. In addition, the patient must show that the deviation from the standard of care caused the claimed injury.

In cases of quadriplegia, your doctor could be to blame

The loss of sensation and control in a bodily limb is inconceivable for most. Yet, paralysis is an international medical concern. Spinal cord damage resulting in the paralyzation of a limb can vary significantly in severity. However, the higher an injury is on your spine, the more serious the effects will be.

Rise In Childbirth Complications Cause For Concern

The safety of mother and newborn during childbirth is something that many people take for granted. Studies indicate, however, that dangerous complications during childbirth are on the rise in the United States.

Arizona Medical Malpractice Statutes And Exceptions

Every day, Maricopa County residents trust their health and their lives to medical professionals. Whether going in for a routine physical, undergoing surgery or being treated for an unexpected injury or illness, the chance for a medical error to occur is real. Sometimes, such a problem is immediately obvious. Other times, it can be months or even years before one is aware of a doctor error. No matter when the problem becomes known, it is important for patients to know that they have options for recourse.

Researchers focus on finding treatments for traumatic brain injuries

In recent years, health and safety experts have warned that the incidence of traumatic brain injuries has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. Preventing the occurrence of these sorts of injuries and developing new, better treatment strategies has become particularly pressing as research mounts indicating that the effects of traumatic brain injuries may linger on for years.

Study: physician time pressures the cause of primary care misdiagnoses

For better or worse, it is a familiar goal in business today to do more with less. According to a recent study, when it comes to healthcare, such an attitude is definitely worse. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that primary care doctors often do not have enough time to spend enough time with their patients. As a result, this raises the probability of a misdiagnosis and causes overall patient care to suffer.

Studies: shorter shifts for interns fail to decrease medical errors

When a medical student graduates and begins his or her internship, long hours are part of the deal. Until recent years, these interns had to work up to 36 hours straight. Because of the long hours, regulators decided to reduce their shifts to 16 hours in 2011. Regulators reasoned that the interns were tired and overworked and were making medical errors as a result.

Many Americans Are Victims of Medical Mistakes

A recent survey shows that a surprising number of patients reports experiencing medical mistakes after doctor visits. The Wolters Kluwer Health Survey reported that almost one in three U.S. patients say that they themselves or a close family member or friend fell victim to medical mistakes.

The Consequences of Overworking Nurses Can Be Serious

Patients in Arizona hospitals may face danger from an unexpected source, a new study shows. According to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing's Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, nurse burnout results in higher infection rates among patients.