The Doctors Company’s closed claims data show diagnostic failure as one of the leading allegations resulting in malpractice claims. Diagnostic failure often causes delays in treatment and significant harm to patients. The National Academy of Medicine has identified ischemic stroke as the number-one cause of serious harm from diagnostic failure.
Delayed Diagnosis of Stroke, our 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ on-demand activity, highlights the importance of recognizing signs and symptoms of a stroke. The program discusses factors contributing to delayed diagnosis and treatment, including poor or inconsistent documentation and failure to recognize the window for administering tissue plasminogen activator-clot buster (tPA); order a stat MRI and neurology consult; communicate among providers regarding changes of recurring symptoms of ischemic stroke; and appreciate new signs and symptoms of a stroke.
Find this course and a complete catalog of complimentary on-demand programs.
The Doctor’s Advocate is published by The Doctors Company to advise and inform its members about loss prevention and insurance issues.
The guidelines suggested in this newsletter are not rules, do not constitute legal advice, and do not ensure a successful outcome. They attempt to define principles of practice for providing appropriate care. The principles are not inclusive of all proper methods of care nor exclusive of other methods reasonably directed at obtaining the same results.
The ultimate decision regarding the appropriateness of any treatment must be made by each healthcare provider considering the circumstances of the individual situation and in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which the care is rendered.
The Doctor’s Advocate is published quarterly by Corporate Communications, The Doctors Company. Letters and articles, to be edited and published at the editor’s discretion, are welcome. The views expressed are those of the letter writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or official policy of The Doctors Company. Please sign your letters, and address them to the editor.