Errors and Delay in Diagnosis

Delay in Diagnosing Appendicitis

Appendicitis is a very common ailment yet every year people suffer from the awful consequences of a failure or delay in diagnosis at the appropriate time.

In women, the delay and subsequent perforation of the appendix can lead to infertility.

The delay may lead to peritonitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia). This can also cause kidney failure and multi-system failure. If this happens the patient may require a period of time in the Intensive Care Unit, kidney dialysis and even need the assistance of a life support machine.

Other side-effects may be the requirement of a temporary stoma (colostomy or iliostomy). This is where the bowel is brought through the abdomen and the patient can then pass stools into a bag. This allows the damaged bag to be rested for a period of time before the stoma is closed.

Unfortunately sometimes the stoma may be permanent.

Delay in Diagnosing Diabetes

There are two types of diabetics, Type I and Type II. Ususally Type I is controlled by insulin injections and Type II is controlled by diet and tablets.

It is important to diagnose diabetes as soon as possible as too much sugar in the blood can cause a variety of problems and cause long-term damage to the eyes and kidneys (amongst other things). Therefore it is imperative to diagnose this as soon as possible and to implement appropriate teratment.

Often a diagnosis is only made when a patient is complaining of one or other of the side effects of diabetes and attends their GP/A&E Department. In some cases patients can fall into a coma and require hospital admission to the Intensive Care Unit in order to be stablilised.

Even if a diagnosis is made, when someone suffering from diabetes is being treated for other conditions, some of which may be totally unrelated, consideration must be given to ensuring that blood sugar levels remain stable throughout any treatment and/or operations. If not this can have disastrous long-term consequences.

Medical Negligence Lawyers

If you or a loved one have a failure in diagnosis claim, please contact our medical negligence team on 01278 457891, email enquiries@pardoes.co.uk or complete our short enquiry form.