Failure To Diagnose

Published on: April 2, 2010

Watertown New York Stroke Misdiagnosis Lawyers Recommend Taking Blood Pressure Pills

A recent study of Medicaid patients reveals that the better a patient follows a blood pressure medication prescription, the lower the patient’s risk of stroke and, ultimately death.

According to North Country medical malpractice lawyers Bottar Law, PLLC, patients who took just one more pill (a week) decreased their risk of stroke by nearly 10%, and their risk of death by around 7%. Most of the nearly 50,000 patients in the study were on two blood pressure medications; however, some were taking as many as six. Roughly 60% of the patients did not fill their prescriptions 80% of the time. These patients, known as non-adherent patients, were .5% more like to die over a five-year period.

There are many different types of blood pressure medications. Diuretics, such as Amiloride, Bumetanide, Chlorothiazide, Chlorthalidone, Furosemide, Indapamide and Spironolactone, decrease blood pressure by causing the body to purge excess fluids and sodium. Angiotensin Converting Enzymes (ACE) inhibitors, such as Benazepril, Captopril, Enalapril, Fosinopril, Lisinopril and Moexipril, decrease blood pressure by allowing blood to flow more freely, which makes the heart’s job easier. Beta blockers, such as Acebutolol, Atenolol, Betaxolol, Bisoprolol, Carteolol, Metaprolol, Nadolol and Sotaolol, decrease blood pressure by decreasing heart rate and cardiac output.
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Published on: January 23, 2010

Syracuse Hematology Oncology Associates Promises 5 Day Prostate Cancer Treatment

By Bottar Law, PLLC

Prostate cancer affects the prostate gland. The prostate gland is part of a man’s reproductive system. It is a marble-sized structure that wraps around the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the body.

Often, prostate cancer is misdiagnosed as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The symptoms for each are similar, including difficulty urinating, pain when urinating, pain with ejaculation and lower back pain. Prostate cancer can also be associated with incontinence and blood in the urine.

Generally, prostate cancer is treated by radiation therapy or surgical removal of the prostate. That therapy usually takes seven (7) weeks. However, Hematology Oncology Associates of Central New York, based in Syracuse, promises five day treatment with the Cyberknife. Cyberknife is a stereotactic radiosurgery device which allows for very precise removal of prostate cancer.
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Published on: January 21, 2010

Failure To Diagnose Birth Trauma To Sphincter Leaves Mother Incontinent

By Bottar Law, PLLC

The Irish High Court ruled that a mother was rendered incontinent due to ob/gyn medical malpractice arising out of the birth of her child. According to reports, the woman sustained internal and external sphincter muscle tears due to forcep use and vacuum use during labor. While double instrumentation was employed to facilitate the delivery, significantly increasing the risk of injury to the mother and baby, the internal sphincter muscle injury went undiagnosed. In turn, the woman was left with incontinent.
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Published on: January 20, 2010

Failure To Diagnose Scoliosis Delays Bracing In Children

By Bottar Law, PLLC

Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal condition which involves curvature of the spine. Signs and symptoms of scoliosis in children include a spine that appears crooked, poor body posture, uneven shoulders, uneven hips, uneven legs and back pain. In extreme cases, scoliosis may also make it difficult for a child to breathe.

If diagnosed early, scoliosis is often treated by wearing a back brace. However, where a pediatrician fails to diagnose scoliosis, or misdiagnoses scoliosis symptoms as growing pains, more aggressive medical care may be necessary to correct the curvature, such as back surgery. Sometimes, the spinal curvature cannot be corrected.

According to a recent study of nearly three hundred children diagnosed with scoliosis, bracing was effective. In fact, the three year success rate for bracing was 80%, as compared to 46% for observation and 39% for electrical stimulation. Available data supports the conclusion that timely diagnosis results in a better outcome.
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Published on: January 18, 2010

Oligohydramnios, Hydramnios and Polyhydramnios: Birth Injuries Relating To Amniotic Fluid

By Bottar Law, PLLC

Oligohydramnios near term may be an indication for delivery, either by induction or c-section.

During pregnancy, the baby floats inside the placenta in a liquid known as amniotic fluid. The fluid is swallowed by the fetus. It is then excreted by urination. The level of amniotic fluid within the placenta may be a marked for fetal distress. The failure to diagnose low amniotic fluid, or the failure to diagnose too much amniotic fluid, can cause a birth injury due to medical malpractice.

Oligohydramnios is a condition where there is not enough amniotic fluid. It is usually marked by an AFI of less than 6. Hydramnios and Polyhadramnios is a condition where there is too much amniotic fluid. It is usually marked by an AFI of greater than 18. Generally, if there is an appropriate amount of amniotic fluid, a doctor may assume that the baby’s kidneys are functioning normally, which usually means that the heart is functioning normally, and on down the line.
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Published on: January 14, 2010

Heart Attack Damage To Decrease At Upstate University Hospital With LIFENET

By Bottar Law, PLLC

Upstate University Hospital, a 378 bed facility located in Syracuse, New York, recently secured the LIFENET System for use within the hospital. LIFENET is a computerized system that monitors ECG changes in order to reduce treatment time for patients suffering from a heart attack. More specifically, patients suffering from an ST elevated myocardial infarction, or STEMI. As STEMIs quickly damage heart muscle, they must be diagnosed and treated quickly by emergency room staff. Ideally, within ninety (90) minutes. Where treatment is not administered promptly, whether due to a failure to diagnose a heart attack, hospital negligence, or an inexplicable delay, patients have a less positive outcome.

Percutaneous treatment for heart attacks usually consists of stent placement or angioplasty. Open heart surgery may also be necessary. According to Hani Kozman, M.D., director of the Cardiac Catherization Lab at Upstate Medical University, “[h]aving this new system will enable Upstate University Hospital to better meet the guideline of treatment in 90 minutes or less, as recommended by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.”

LIFENET will notify healthcare providers of the nature of a patient’s heart attack. Perhaps even before they arrive at the hospital emergency room. This should reduce door-to-balloon (DTB) time.
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Published on: December 28, 2009

Failure To Diagnose Preeclampsia Decreases Through Use Of Biomarkers

By Bottar Law, PLLC

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication affecting 10% of women. It is marked by high blood pressure and proteinuria (protein in the urine). Symptoms usually emerge in the 20th week of pregnancy, and include: headaches, hand and foot swelling (edema), excessive weight gain and, in extreme cases, blindness.

Preeclampsia must be timely diagnosed, because if left undiagnosed it can develop into eclampsia. Eclampsia can cause seizures, brain damage and death (for mother and child). Worldwide, preeclampsia is responsible for 500,000 infant deaths and 76,000 maternal deaths every year.

According to a recent study conducted by scientists at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institute of Health, there may be a connection between maternal plasma concentrations and the risk for developing preeclampsia. The relationship between maternal plasma and preeclampsia should lead to a decrease in medical malpractice due to the late diagnosis of preeclampsia, as doctors will be able to screen for a patient’s predisposition to develop the dangerous condition.
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