Did you make this mistake when you were in the emergency room? One of the most frequent issues which come up when we receive a call regarding the emergency room is a misdiagnosis of some medical condition. The misdiagnosis then usually leads to other serious injuries down the line for the patient.
The purpose of this Maryland medical malpractice educational video is shine light on the question, did you make this mistake when you were in the emergency room?
HOW DO DOCTORS GET TO THE RIGHT DIAGNOSIS?
One of the things which will be done early on when a patient arrives in the emergency room is to get a proper history of the patient. By history I mean to find out important information regarding the patient. For example, the doctor or other medical professional might ask you whether heart attack or stroke runs in your family. Or whether some other illness has been present in other family members.
Another thing that doctors and medial professionals will do is to ask you about your complaints. For example, are you suffering from shortness of breath, or whether you have any pain in your leg(s) or arm(s)? These types of questions are important because they help the doctor perform what is called a differential diagnosis on the patient.
A differential diagnosis is essentially the doctor making a note of your complaints and compiling a list of medical conditions which can be associated with the complaints. The information used in the history will also be considered.
Once a doctor comes to a possible diagnosis (and remember the most serious medical conditions are noted first because the doctors want to deal with those first), he or she will have tests done to confirm or rule out the diagnosis.
DID YOU MAKE THIS MISTAKE WHEN YOU WERE IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM?
The mistake that I keep referring to is the “He-Man” or He-Woman” mistake. In other words, you play hero and do not tell the doctor or nurses what is really going on. Even though you know you have pain in your arm too, you blow it off because you think you can deal with the pain and it is not important for the doctor.
This is a big no-no! As you can see now, doctors have to know the truth regarding their patients because this is how the doctors set off to help you. If you have given the doctor half-truths then it should be easy to see how a misdiagnosis can happen in the emergency room. Remember, this is not the time to play hero, even if you may have played one on TV! 😉
WHAT IF YOU DID NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE?
If you are dealing with a serious injury while in the emergency room and you would like to speak with me further regarding what is going on this is what I invite you to do. Pick up the phone and call me.
I can be reached at 301-850-4832.
I answer questions like yours regarding Maryland medical malpractice questions all the time and I would be happy to listen to you.
Boston Law Group, LLC
2 Wisconsin Circle
Suite 700
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
