A recent survey published by the the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) showed that nearly 20 percent of Massachusetts residents experienced or saw someone close to them experience a medical error in the last 5 years. The survey results shed valuable light on the potential for medical errors in New Jersey and across the United States.
The Massachusetts Health Insurance Survey (MHIS) provides extensive information about health insurance coverage and health care-related services. The results of the most recent survey were aggregated from phone conversations with over 5,000 residents between April and June. This year, the MHIS included additional questions about medical errors which may be considered malpractice.
Specifically, respondents were asked if they had encountered a medical error in the last 5 years, either during the course of their medical treatment or in the care of a household member or member of their extended family. Among those who took the survey, 19.4% had seen a medical error in this context in the last 5 years. This accounts for nearly 1 out of every 5.
Individuals who had encountered a medical error were also asked to describe the severity of the health consequences resulting from these medical errors.
58% percent of those who reported a medical error said the error had caused significant health complications for them or a family member. Another 29% said the medical error resulted in minor health consequences.
The survey results show a significant percentage of the population having some experience with a medical error that caused harm to themselves or someone close to them. It underscores previous findings that medical errors are rampant in the American healthcare system, often resulting in serious health consequences or even death for patients. In fact, a study published in the BMJ found medical errors are the third-leading cause of death in the United States behind cardiovascular disease and cancer.
So what is considered a medical error? There are countless ways in which medical professionals can make mistakes. Taking a look at the diagnostic and treatment process provides a frame of reference for examining medical errors.
Identification of symptoms: Recognizing a patient’s symptoms and investigating all of the potential conditions associated with these symptoms can be an extensive process that starts with thorough examination and family history.
Diagnostic testing: Determining the appropriate tests in a given case, ordering all tests that may provide insight into the underlying condition, and accurately reading test results involves multiple treatment providers and successful chains of communication.
Diagnosis vs. Misdiagnosis: Many medical errors occur when a doctor misdiagnoses a condition such as meningitis.
Failure to diagnose and delayed diagnosis: In some instances, a condition worsens because a physician or other healthcare provider fails to make a correct diagnosis or is delayed in arriving at said diagnosis. Cancers of the prostate, brain, colon, or uterus are frequently subject to delayed diagnosis.
Errors in Treatment: Even after symptoms have been identified and an accurate diagnosis is made, mistakes in the selection or execution of treatment may spell serious health consequences. Surgical errors and medication errors are a prime example of errors in treatment.
Postoperative Negligence: Sometimes, a patient’s health will deteriorate after a procedure due to failure to follow-up or take measures to prevent complications like infection.
As you can see, medical errors can occur in many forms. When you are among those victimized by medical mistakes in New Jersey, you have limited time to take action. It is imperative to speak with a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to better understand your rights. Call Fronzuto Law Group‘s New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers today at (973)-435-4551 for a free consultation about your specific case.
To read the MHIS report in its entirety, click here.
