Medical mistakes can lead to costly injuries
A FAILURE to diagnose, or a misdiagnosis, can deny a person timely and effective medical help, or even result in the wrong treatment.
Such omissions or errors are rare but can lead to lifechanging injuries.
Any mistake or a delay in a treatment referral may have devastating consequences, but a specialised helpline has highlighted instances where patients have turned to the courts to find answers and seek support for private treatment and care.
Bone and joint injuries: Failure to diagnose a fracture or infection in the hip, leg or knee can have a long-term impact on a person’s mobility.
Cauda equina syndrome or spinal injury: Pressure and swelling on the spinal cord nerves have been diagnosed as simple back pain and patients have not been referred on. There is a small window to avoid long-term problems.
Infections: In severe cases, failure to treat can result in amputation, for example a missed foot infection in a patient with diabetes.
Eye examinations: Failure to diagnose a detached retina, for example, can lead to blindness.
Sepsis: If sepsis is not treated quickly, it can lead to organ failure and death.
Pressure sores: A failure to prevent or diagnose pressure sores can lead to long-term health issues.
Patient falls in hospitals: Sadly, these do happen and should be prevented.
Surgical errors: Mistakes or a failure to diagnose a worsening condition can lead to complications after any type of procedure, including bowel surgery.
A confidential helpline has been created to help victims of clinical negligence get the right support. They are entitled to know what went wrong and why. And compensation is important to help assist with rehabilitation, adaptations of the home and car, purchasing aids and equipment, home care, loss of earnings, and private medical treatment.