Going to the emergency room can be very scary. In general, the people who come to this site require urgent medical attention that their GP cannot provide. In this chaotic environment, doctors and nurses do their best to provide efficient and quality service. However, some errors can occur. Here are four of the main ones that have been observed and how to avoid them.
- A bad diagnosis. Working under pressure and in an environment where time is of the essence, misdiagnoses can sometimes occur. If possible, contact your GP while you are in the emergency room, and explain what your symptoms are so that he or she can guide you as to the possible diagnosis and treatment to follow.
- Wrong information and poor communication between members of the medical staff. While patients are in the outpatient area, the data recorded on their admission sheet may be incorrect, as well as their vital signs and set of symptoms. Ask for the names of the people who are assisting you so that you can follow up on the steps that have been taken.
- Mistakes regarding lab tests carried out and/or their interpretation. If the medical personnel does not have enough information about your symptoms, they may request the wrong laboratory tests. It is vital that you explain everything you are feeling so that they can find the cause of your condition and interpret the results correctly.
- Poor monitoring. With so many critical situations to attend to in the emergency room, time is sometimes not enough to constantly monitor all patients. You must report if your symptoms become more severe and, if possible, do your best to be in constant communication with your GP.
If you believe that you have been given improper treatment or inadequate medical care, contact an attorney to discuss possible medical malpractice and how to file a claim.