The Doctor Didn’t Diagnose A Stroke: Now What?!

While blood clots and vessel ruptures naturally occur, medical professionals may be able to recognize the signs of such before they occur; people at higher risk for stroke should be treated differently than the average patient.   Mistakes during surgery can also lead to strokes.

Whatever the case might be, medical professionals should do all that the field of medicine requires when treating patients so that strokes are prevented.  Moreover, if a stroke has occurred, medical professionals should properly diagnose the patient as being a stroke victim.

Aren’t strokes sudden and unpredictable?  Not always.  For example, before a full blown stroke occurs, a patient may have had a transient ischemic attack (aka mini stroke).  These are partial vein blockages that reduce blood flow to the brain.  The result of which can be numbness in the body, blurred vision, slurred speech, body weakness, and even behavior changes.  These symptoms should be investigated to see if a mini stroke caused the problem; this way, the patient is properly treated and the possibility of a full stroke is thwarted.

Strokes that happen from a ruptured blood vessel in the brain do not always kill right away.   Blood can leak out over time and compress the brain.  A quick diagnosis is important because medication and or surgery can repair the damage so that permanent injury and death is avoided.

People with high blood pressure should be monitored for blood clotting and vessel blockages.  Medications to prevent these problems greatly reduce one’s risk for stroke.  If a blockage is discovered, emergency treatment at a hospital can quickly eliminate the blockage so that the patient may recover.

The point that readers should be clear on is that a missed diagnosis of a stroke in New York is a matter of medical malpractice.  This type of negligence in the medical setting needs to be avoided.  Civil liability is one way to raise awareness to the issue so that medical professionals are keen to avoid negligent acts.

With strokes being the third biggest killer in the U.S. (heart disease and cancer being number one and two) it is imperative that they are no longer misdiagnosed.

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.