Common ways that mistakes happen in the emergency room

When you go to a Delaware emergency room, it is probably because you have a serious medical concern related to an injury or illness. You expect to receive prompt treatment from a doctor or nurse who has your best interests in mind. There is a significant amount of trust you and many others place with the hospital and the men and women who work there.

It can be devastating when you experienced a violation of that trust. Medical mistakes can come at a great cost for patients who are already suffering from injuries and sicknesses. Because of the fast-paced and high-pressure nature of emergent medical care, mistakes can happen in the ER. If you are a victim, you need to know what you should do next.

Common mistakes in the ER

One of the biggest mistakes that can happen in an ER is misdiagnosis. It is extremely important to get the right diagnosis of your medical condition so you can get the right type of medical care. When this does not happen, it can lead to a worsening of your medical condition, additional pain and a longer recovery time. Some of the most common ways that misdiagnosis happens in the ER include:

• The patient does not give a complete list of ongoing medical problems or symptoms, or the care provider does not take the time to listen to patient concerns.
• There is no time to ask questions because the doctor is in a rush, or the care provider did not completely answer your questions when in the room with you.
• The doctor is not familiar with the patient’s medical history or did not take the time to read the chart. It can also happen when the doctor does not discuss your specific concerns individually.

It’s hard to know if your misdiagnosis was the result of a lack of communication, a doctor’s rush to move from patient to patient or another preventable factor. An assessment of your case can help you see if you are a victim of negligent medical care.

Your long-term health and recovery

If you are the victim of misdiagnosis or another type of medical mistake, you could have grounds for a civil claim. An assessment of your case can reveal the specific options available to you and how you can move forward with the appropriate course of legal action. As a victim, your recovery is important, and you would be wise not to waste any time in securing the help you need.