New possibility for skin cancer diagnosis
Many New York residents may be interested in the report of a new option doctors have to help with skin cancer diagnosis. Metastatic melanoma, a type of skin cancer, has been difficult to diagnose correctly with current techniques. The new technique promises to make diagnosis easier and prevent either a misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis.
How technology can help patients get a second opinion
New York patients who are seeking a second opinion on a medical issue might be able to do so virtually, and this could reduce the incidence of misdiagnosis. According to the journal BMJ Quality & Safety, around 12 million American outpatients are misdiagnosed annually. The consequences of a misdiagnosis could include financial loss, treatments that are unnecessary, and a reduced quality of life or poorer outcomes for patients.
Survey finds that multiple sclerosis is frequently misdiagnosed
Multiple sclerosis is a serious disease that is often misdiagnosed. New York residents may be interested in the findings of a recent survey that found that many MS patients had to make repeated doctor or hospital visits before being diagnosed.
Why detecting melanoma early is important
When the summer season arrives, many New York residents spend more time enjoying outdoor activities. However, they should be reminded that an increase in sun exposure is also an increase in the risk of melanoma, a skin cancer that can potentially be fatal if it isn’t diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
Test could more accurately predict kidney disease in diabetics
New York residents who suffer from type 1 or type 2 diabetes run the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Doctors generally study the estimated glomerular filtration rate and the urinary albumin to creatinine ratio to identify diabetes sufferers with high risks of developing these conditions, but doctors have long known that these two biomarkers are not always able to identify at-risk patients and often fail to accurately predict the onset of kidney failure.
Stopping childhood sepsis
Sepsis is a type of infection that can take place after people have had a viral illness. The condition is capable of becoming fatal for children within just hours. New York parents may be interested to learn of a coalition of hospitals that is battling the issue of sepsis.
Family sues federal government over birth injury
New York residents who are harmed as a result of medical malpractice may file a lawsuit against the at-fault facility or practitioner. This is true even if the lawsuit is against the federal government when it has funded a health care facility. Although lawsuits against the federal government are normally prohibited, they are permitted in a case of medical malpractice under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
Lawsuits against nurses
While many New York medical malpractice lawsuits are filed against doctors, mistakes by nursing staff can be just as serious. When a medical error can be traced back to a nurse or any other hospital employee, it is usually possible to file a lawsuit against that person directly.
Misdiagnosing hypertension
Some New York patients who have hypertension are misdiagnosed. When hypertension is not diagnosed or if people have delayed diagnoses of the condition, they may suffer from complications. People who have hypertension may also delay going to their doctors because they may initially not have noticeable symptoms.
Medication errors may be due to new IT systems
Although health IT systems are supposed to make the job of medical professionals easier while improving patient outcomes, a study indicates that these systems may be leading to an increase in medication errors in New York and around the country. The study, which was published by the ECRI Institute and the Pennsylvania Safety Advisory, found that unexpected problems with the new systems have developed, and issues appear to occur in a variety of ways.