Study looks at accuracy of cancer test
When New York men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, doctors might also use a test known as prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography imaging to determine whether the cancer has metastasized. When PSMA is detected as a highly expressive enzyme in tissue, it can be an indication that the cancer is spreading.
Study shows many acute optic neuritis patients misdiagnosed
People in New York typically approach eye doctors when they are experiencing eye pain or vision problems. Time constraints on doctors and their failure to think about alternative diagnoses could result in diagnostic mistakes when patients present with symptoms somewhat out of the ordinary. An analysis of 122 patients diagnosed with acute optic neuritis and referred to a university neuro-ophthalmology clinic determined that 59.8 percent of them had received the wrong diagnosis.
Overlooked factors that could lead to a medical error
Patients in New York and throughout the country could be exposed to a wide range of medication errors. These mistakes could result in a worsened condition or other negative consequences. However, not all types of errors are accounted for unless there is an adverse event. For instance, many medical offices and hospitals use electronic health records. One problem that can occur is ordering medication for the wrong person.
Study finds failure to diagnose AMD
Some older people in New York who are in the early stages of age-related macular degeneration may not be properly diagnosed. A study by researchers at the University of Alabama, Birmingham that was published in “JAMA Ophthalmology” found that one quarter of patients who had signs of the condition were not diagnosed.
NPA’s quarterly report shows increase in pharmacist errors
The National Pharmacy Association has released its quarterly report on patient safety errors among community pharmacists. The three-month period between April and June 2018 has seen a startling 64 percent increase in the number of such errors compared to the previous quarter. Patients in New York will want to know what some of the factors are.
Doctor sued for removing woman’s healthy kidney
New York readers know that all surgeries come with risks. Unfortunately, one of those risks can be the surgeon who performs the procedure. For example, an Iowa woman has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against a South Dakota doctor for allegedly removing a healthy kidney during a botched surgery.
Study says radiology-related malpractice often ends in death
Coverys, the provider of liability insurance for medical practitioners, has released a report that may be of interest to New York residents. After studying over 10,000 radiology-related medical liability claims filed between 2013 and 2017, researchers found that the misinterpretation of clinical tests was behind 80 percent of all diagnosis-related claims.
Guidelines issued for diagnosing minimally conscious states
New Yorkers who suffer brain injuries may fall into vegetative or minimally conscious states. For people who have prolonged periods of problems with consciousness, getting the proper diagnosis is vital for their chances of recovery. Now, guidelines have been released for the proper diagnosis of people who are in minimally conscious or vegetative states.
Cause of disease linked to childhood seizures identified
Statistically, not too many new parents in New York will have an infant with infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE), an early childhood seizure disorder. But when children do have it, it can contribute to intellectual and developmental delays and issues with physical movements related to cognitive processing. Even when children with EIEE are on medication, frequent and debilitating seizures may still occur as much as 50 times a day. Researchers have now identified the genetic cause of this neurological disorder.
Facts about hand, foot and mouth disease
New York residents and others may have heard of something called hand, foot and mouth disease. It is an ailment that causes symptoms such as a rash, fever and blisters. It can also cause a person to feel tired for several days. While the symptoms generally go away after a few days, children can remain contagious for several weeks after this happens. Generally, the condition afflicts young children, but is possible for adults to get it too.