A diagnostic error is defined as the failure to provide an accurate, prompt explanation of a patient’s health care concerns and communicate the medical condition to the patient. Even without a background in medicine, you certainly know that a proper diagnosis is essential before you can receive the treatment you need. Unfortunately, misdiagnosis is a common problem. The US Department of Health & Human Services reports that mistakes in diagnosing patients lead to 17% of medical errors in hospitals. Studies on autopsies also reveal that approximately 9 percent of all patients experienced a major diagnostic error that health care providers did not detect.
Based on these figures, researchers estimate that up to 80,000 individuals die, and hundreds of thousands suffer harm because of misdiagnosis every year. These claims fall under Florida medical negligence laws, so there are remedies for victims and their families. A Miami diagnostic errors attorney can assist with the legal process, but it is important to know how these mistakes happen.
Reasons Behind Diagnosis Mistakes