Leading Causes of Medical Diagnostic Errors
Posted on November 17, 2023 in Medical Malpractice
A simple mistake by a tired doctor reading a scan could mean that you find yourself suffering from a disease that continues to spread and may claim your life. Unfortunately, at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we see a lot of these types of Portland medical malpractice claims, and you can expect our legal team to work hard to prove those responsible should be held accountable. Take into consideration some of the leading causes of medical diagnostic errors and what they could mean to you.
What Causes Medical Diagnostic Errors
Many of the mistakes that happen occur in a lab, and these errors can be numerous. Very specific procedures and steps are required for most diagnostic lab testing to minimize the potential risk of such situations, yet mistakes still happen. Some of the most common include:
- Environmental errors: This includes errors that result from conditions within the environment that impact the result. This could be anything from temperature to humidity factors or even the magnetic field on the planet.
- Human error: In some situations, a person makes a mistake, and these are often some of the most worrisome because they are preventable errors. This could include spilling material, labeling improperly, or measuring something inaccurately.
- Procedural errors: This type of error occurs when a person does not follow the required and considered best practice procedures, and that leads to a mistake.
- Instrumental errors: This type of error occurs when the instrument being used during the testing fails to work properly and provides an inaccurate response due to factors like poor maintenance or human error.
While there are some types of errors – such as those involving the magnetic field of the planet, that are not avoidable, most of the errors that do happen are, in fact, preventable. Keep in mind that sometimes a person makes a mistake reading a lab result, but other times, outdated or ineffective equipment creates the risk. It is critical to consider the errors that can happen for many reasons, as that can often show who is to blame for those losses.
How Can Doctors Avoid Mistakes Like This?
Hospitals, labs, and doctors themselves must consistently follow the required and expected protocols for providing patients with the care they need. That means following all required rules for testing. In addition to this, these organizations need to follow up and double-check results to look for any errors that could have occurred.
How Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys Can Help You
At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we do not take the excuse of “it was a mistake.” We work hard to ensure our clients receive fair and comprehensive legal support as they fight for the compensation they are owed after such a difficult incident occurs. Reach out to us now to schedule a free evaluation to determine what your legal rights are if you were the victim of a lab mistake. You deserve to be compensated to the fullest extent for the losses you have incurred.