Clostridium difficile, or C. Diff., infections arise almost exclusively in the healthcare setting, a recent study finds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 95% of C. Diff. infections arise in the healthcare settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes. The CDC specifically recognized that such facilities need to improve their infection [...]
Since the Institute of Medicine reported in 1999 that over 100,000 Americans die from medical mistakes every year, no major initiative has been undertaken to reduce the mounting healthcare costs and huge emotional toll caused by these epidemic rates of medical negligence. Rather than identifying and addressing root causes of this national embarrassment, doctors and their organizations have [...]
As a medical negligence lawyer and healthcare advocate, I am frequently critical of healthcare providers for medical errors that have caused grievous harm or wrongful death to my clients. Recently, my father was hospitalized at a large Ohio hospital and, sadly, passed away during the hospitalization. The experience afforded me a rare opportunity to watch physicians, nurses [...]
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms that CT angiography is effective in ruling out acute coronary syndromes, such as heart attack (also called myocardial infarction or MI). The test allows emergency physicians to safely discharge low to intermediate risk patients suspected of a potential heart attack in most cases. Delays [...]
A recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals startlingly widespread physician misuse of the internet, including writing prescriptions for patients that have never been seen. Most of the State Medical Boards surveyed revealed that they had received complaints about physicians prescribing medicines over the internet and/or misrepresenting credentials. Other violations included revealing confidential patient [...]
The Institute of Medicine is studying the use of electronic medical records (EMRs). In this regard, it recently published a report entitled Health IT and Patient Safety: Building Safer. Lawyers who represent patients injured by medical negligence have encountered their own problems with EMRs insofar as it is virtually impossible to get an accurate copy of the patient's medical [...]
Having had the privilege of trying many cases over the years, I have likewise had the privilege of meeting many Ohio citizens who are sitting as jurors for the first time. During jury selection, I often ask jurors if they feel there should be caps on damages in medical negligence cases. Many, if not most, [...]
One common type of medical negligence in Ohio involves a delay in diagnosis of an impending or early heart attack. Young people and women are particularly prone to misdiagnosis as physicians remain biased that this is a disease of smokers or older, overweight males. To combat these diagnostic biases, and the often fatal outcomes that come [...]
Findings from a European study on the effects of screening for prostate cancer show that screening results in a 21% reduction in the risk of dying from prostate cancer. The European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) analyzed data from 162,000 men in a comprehensive and well-designed study. In stark terms, the improved survival equates to saving [...]
Cervical cancer is a progressive disease that is fatal if left untreated and undiagnosed. As with most cancers, early detection of cervical cancer saves lives. However, medical negligence cases involving a delay in diagnosis of cervical cancer continue to occur. Often, the opportunity to catch cervical cancer in its earliest stages, when it is most treatable and [...]