Whether it is a case of the flu or the common cold, any patient could find comfort that they could seek medical care at a hospital or clinic. Usually, the doctor could examine you and send you on your way with your prescriptions. However, they could also order specific medical lab tests to help get a more accurate diagnosis.
These tests are crucial in the medical industry because they help doctors accurately navigate how to approach a health condition and what treatments are appropriate. Physicians rely heavily on these tests. Around 70% of medical decisions depend on lab test results. If a medical lab makes a mistake, it could mislead the attending physician, leading to grave consequences.
Severe medical lab errors could lead to adverse health problems and even death. Specialists estimate that around 40,000 to 80,000 annual fatalities happen because of diagnostic mistakes. These errors could worsen illnesses or cause additional health problems due to inappropriate medical treatments.
Multiple factors could contribute to these mistakes, including improper testing, machine malfunction, human error and environmental elements. However, most of these could be preventable through regular reviews and monitoring of the facilities and the medical staff.
A patient’s condition could worsen due to medical lab mistakes. Sometimes, they could require more extensive medical care than initially required. These treatments could be expensive, making medical expenses too much to bear.
Filing medical malpractice claims for medical lab errors
If the health care provider’s negligence caused the patient’s condition to deteriorate, they could file a medical malpractice claim to recover damages. Medical lab mistakes are dangerous and could risk permanent injuries or death. Victims should keep these medical practitioners accountable for their reckless actions and recover from potentially overwhelming losses.