Misdiagnosing Appendecitis
This articles discusses a common medical mistake made in emergency departments in Ohio emergency departments, the misdiagnosis of Appendicitis. The condition is easily treated when diagnosed early but may be deadly if a medical error is made.
One of the most common Ohio medical emergency room mistakes is the misdiagnosis of appendicitis. The misdiagnosis of appendicitis is usually related to a failure to “rule out” a life threatening diagnosis or a failure to refer/ admit the patient for additional care. Misdiagnosing appendicitis in Ohio emergency departments is usually a result of these two errors. "Misdiagnosing Appendicitis in Ohio Emergency Departments" offers a brief analysis of the symptoms and acts of medical negligence that are usually the focus of claims arising from the misdiagnosis of appendicitis in Ohio emergency departments.
Ohio Emergency Departments treat approximately 468,000 patients a year. With private health insurance a current luxury, many families are forced to use the emergency department as their family physician, which results in overcrowding and increased risk of misdiagnosing appendicitis in Ohio emergency departments. The standard of care for emergency medicine in Ohio emergency departments and the United States remains the best in the world; however, Ohio emergency medicine negligence, including the failure to diagnose appendicitis, occurs daily.
What is appendicitis?
Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix usually caused by a blockage of the lumen.
Why is appendicitis difficult to diagnose?
Appendicitis can be difficult to diagnose because of the subjective symptoms–and many other illnesses cause abdominal pain. However, the failure to diagnose and timely treat appendicitis carries a very high risk of death; therefore, the standard of care will usually require that this diagnosis be ruled out through clinical examination and testing where the classic appendicitis symptoms are presented. It is well recognized that the diagnosis should be made early and treatment started immediately since a delay in treating appendicitis carries a high risk of abscess formation, rupture, sepsis and death.
What are the symptoms of appendicitis?
- Localized right sided/lower quadrant abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Elevated white blood count
- Temperature
- Persistent history of abdominal pain
How should appendicitis be treated in Ohio Emergency Departments?
Immediate surgical consult is required when diagnosis of appendicitis is made or suspected and cannot be ruled out from clinical examination.
What acts of negligence lead to Misdiagnosis of Acute Appendicitis in Ohio Emergency Departments?
- Failure to timely recognize the symptoms and rule out appendicitis;
- Failure to order appropriate tests (blood work, radiology) to diagnose and rule out appendicitis
- Failure to seek surgical consult when appendicitis is suspected;
- Misdiagnosis of gastroenteritis, stomach flu, pelvic inflammatory disease, Crohn’s disease flare, other gynecological disorders.
- Use of cathartics, heating pads, or enemas causing appendiceal rupture.
Is a Hospital liable for misdiagnosis of appendicitis in Ohio Emergency Room ?
In most Ohio hospitals the emergency physicians are independent contractors who exercise their independent judgment and acts, for which a hospital is not liable. In some cases, the Hospital may share liability for the care through its own direct action or inaction. This is often the case where there is evidence of:
- Understaffing
- Inadequate training
- Poor record keeping procedures
- Poor patient tracking procedures
- Unsanitary conditions
- Unethical or illegal intake and treatment policies
- Inadequate medication administration procedures
- Inadequate facilities and/or equipment
For Additional Information on misdiagnosing appendicitis see:
- www.wrongdiagnosis.com
- Mayo Clinic
- WEB MD
- National Institute of Health
Ohio medical malpractice law is complex and changes frequently. The above discussion provides a very basic and fundamental framework of some of the complex medical and legal issues lawyers and patients may face when bringing an Ohio medical malpractice action for the misdiagnosis of appendicitis. This content should not be relied on for authoritative legal or medical purpose. Therefore, any specific issues should be directed to a qualified Ohio medical malpractice attorney.