Misdiagnosing Appendicitis: Kingston Medical Malpractice Attorney Explains

Appendicitis is a very painful and severe medical condition where the appendix will become swollen and inflamed very quickly.  When a person is suffering from appendicitis it is imperative that it be diagnosed in a timely manner.  If appendicitis is left untreated, it can burst releasing toxic substances into the body, possibly resulting in serious illness or death.  While in most cases medical technology has made it possible for appendicitis to be diagnosed in a timely and accurate manner, there are times when it is not and this mistake can seriously injure or end a patient’s life.

Any delay in diagnosing appendicitis can lead to severe medical complications that require extensive medical treatment and possibly wrongful death.  Unfortunately the symptoms of appendicitis can be mistaken for the flu or a stomach virus.  Symptoms of appendicitis include:

• Sharp abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Abdominal swelling
• Fever
• Constipation

Doctors who are examining patients who are showing symptoms of appendicitis must be ready to make a quick and accurate diagnose of the patient’s condition and then take immediate action.  Examples of clear doctor errors in diagnosis appendicitis include:

• Failing to conduct a complete medical exam
• Failing to order the appropriate tests
• Ignoring a symptom, or dismissing the symptom as not important
• Misdiagnosing the patient’s illness even though there were clear signs of appendicitis

The only way to treat appendicitis is to remove the appendix through a surgery called an appendectomy.  If the appendix burst while inside the patient’s abdominal cavity, their condition will become worse very quickly.  Once the appendix bursts, the pain often subsides.  This creates a dangerous situation for the patient as the body systems can be exposed to dangerous infected materials.  If not properly treated, the patient can develop peritonitis, sepsis, or even die.

In many cases where a doctor has failed to diagnose appendicitis, it is considered medical malpractice.  If you or a loved one has been injured because a doctor has failed to diagnose appendicitis, you should contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to evaluate your case.

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.