Ear, Nose, And Throat Medical Malpractice

For those of you whom have seen an ENT doctor, you know that ENT stands for ear, nose, and throat.  Within the medical community, ENT doctors are called otolaryngologists.  The title, ENT, tells you what parts of the body that these doctors specialize in.  Note, however, that they may also treat other locations on the neck and head.

The experienced Kingston, New York medical malpractice attorney knows that this medical specialty is complex and there are many subspecialties within the field.

For example, they may deal in pediatrics by treating cleft lips and palates.  They also conduct cosmetic surgery on the face.  They even specialize in sleep disorders.  This is just to name a few.

The bottom line is that these doctors are no different from any other in regard to being held accountable to medical malpractice allegations.  They must treat patients as would any other ENT doctor in the community.

Here are some examples of medical issues that which ENT doctor may address with patients.

Loss of Hearing:

Hearing loss is more than a part of aging.  It is a medical issue that needs to be addressed with an ENT doctor.  Patients should expect to be examined in accordance with the standards of the medical profession so that the causes of their hearing loss are timely and properly diagnosed.

Sinusitis:

This is a long term stuffy and or inflamed nose.  Prolonged blockages in the nose can lead to infections.  This issue can be painful for the patient.  ENT doctors can treat this problem, and just like anything else, should properly examine and interview the patient so that a proper diagnosis is rendered.

Oral Cancer:

Even though ENT doctors might not be oncologists (cancer doctors), they still treat people who have oral cancer.  Therefore, they should know who is at a higher risk for oral cancer; what the symptoms of oral cancer are; how to diagnose the disease; and how to treat people who have oral cancer.

Ear Surgery:

Quite often, children have problems with their ears.  For example, they get ear infections; sometimes, repeatedly.  Children who suffer from this problem may need to have tubes inserted in their ear drums.  Children experiencing hearing and or speech problems may also be candidates for ear tube surgery.  ENT doctors are expected to diagnose the need for ear tubes timely and properly, and they should perform the surgery competently.

Rhinitis:

This condition looks like allergies, but it isn’t.  A stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, etc. can last all year long and could be rhinitis instead of allegories.   ENT doctors are expected to help people with rhinitis and be able to educate patients on how the condition is triggered.

But what do you think?  I would love to hear from you!  Leave a comment or I also welcome your phone call on my toll-free cell at 1-866-889-6882 or you can drop me an e-mail at jfisher@fishermalpracticelaw.com.  You are always welcome to request my FREE book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims, at the home page of my website at www.protectingpatientrights.com.