Understanding When a Stroke Misdiagnosis May Be From Medical Malpractice
Most people universally accept that a stroke is undeniably a medical emergency. Thanks to their comprehensive training, doctors and other healthcare providers have honed the necessary skills to identify the telltale signs of a stroke. Impressively, the critical FAST acronym (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and time) is not just medical jargon but is also familiar to a significant number of non-medical professionals.
In the event of a stroke, the individual requires immediate medical treatment. This urgent intervention is not just a procedure but a lifesaving measure with the power to prevent potential brain damage or, in the most tragic situations, a wrongful death.
However, if a healthcare provider, unfortunately, misses these critical stroke signs and such oversight leads to a delay in the necessary treatment, the consequences can be dire. If such a delay results in permanent injury or death, we unequivocally categorize this as medical malpractice.
If you or a loved one had delayed treatment or a stroke misdiagnosis, you may be entitled to monetary compensation in a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent healthcare provider, hospital, or other entity. Learn more about how our experienced stroke misdiagnosis lawyers can help you located here at Medical Malpractice Universe.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when there is an interruption or reduction in blood supply to the brain. The interruption in blood supply causes the brain not to receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients, causing brain damage or death if not treated on time. The other cause of stroke is a rupture of an artery in the brain.
There are three different types of strokes. Types of strokes include the following:
Hemorrhagic – A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a rupture of an artery in the brain. The rupture of blood causes pressure on the brain cells, causing damage.
Ischemic – Ischemic strokes are the most common, accounting for approximately 87%. This type of stroke occurs when blood flow through an artery is blocked.
Transient Ischemic Attack – A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often referred to as a “mini-stroke.” TIAs are caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, which the blockage typically occurs for no more than 5 minutes.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Stroke?
Some signs and symptoms can indicate a victim may be suffering from a stroke. If a stroke is suspected, immediate treatment is needed to prevent permanent brain damage or death. Signs and symptoms of stroke include the following:
- Blurred vision
- Facial drooping
- Confusion
- Trouble speaking
- Difficulty understanding what the person is saying
- Sudden numbness in the face, arm or leg, typically on one side of the body
- Sudden weakness in the face, arm or leg, typically on one side of the body
- Severe headache
- Trouble walking
- Dizziness, lack of coordination, or poor balance
What is the Treatment for Stroke?
There are a few types of treatments that are given for stroke. All require timely intervention for them to be effective. If an ischemic stroke is suspected and the individual arrives at the hospital within 3 hours of symptoms, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can be administered. This type of drug can break up a blood clot if that is the cause of the stroke. Administration of this drug can significantly increase the chances of a full recovery or less chance of significant disability. If there is a delay in administering the medication beyond the 3-hour time frame, the drug will not be effective.
Surgery often becomes the preferred course of treatment for hemorrhagic strokes. When surgeons perform this operation, they typically position a metal clip to halt the bleeding. In certain instances, they carry out endovascular procedures. These entail threading a long tube through a significant artery in the arm or leg, navigating it towards the bleeding site. They then introduce a device like a coil to mend the site and thwart any future bleeding.
What are the Causes for a Delay in Diagnosis or Treatment of Stroke?
There are many different causes for a delay in diagnosis or treatment. If the individual with stroke symptoms does not seek treatment for a stroke or their family members do not take the individual to the hospital, a delay in diagnosis or treatment can occur.
In these cases, medical malpractice is not the cause, as the medical providers can only help once they arrive at the hospital. However, there are many instances where delays in diagnosis or treatment of a stroke can be entirely prevented.
Common causes of delay in diagnosis or treatment that may be due to medical malpractice include the following:
- Failure to accurately assess a patient
- Overlooking the signs and symptoms indicative of a stroke
- Non-adherence to established stroke protocol
- Hesitation in administering tPA when the stroke victim arrives within the suitable time frame for the drug’s usage
- Procrastination in executing surgical or endovascular procedures necessary for the treatment of hemorrhagic stroke
- Inappropriate triage of a patient
- Misinterpretation of critical test results
- Lack of urgency in ordering appropriate imaging
- Confusion between patients, culminating in treatment delay
- Involvement of novice doctors
- Incompetence among nurses or other medical staff
- Understaffing issues
- Overcrowding of patients leading to compromised care
- Misdiagnosis of the stroke as a different condition
- Insufficient supervision of emergency room staff
- Reluctance to consult other specialties (i.e., neurology or neurosurgery) when necessary
Do You Believe You Have Been the Victim of a Stroke Misdiagnosis? Call one of Our Lawyers for Help
If you or a loved one believe that you have been the victim of a stroke misdiagnosis due to medical malpractice, learn how our experienced stroke misdiagnosis lawyers can help you recover compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and wrongful death costs if a family member has passed away. Most of our attorneys offer FREE consultations, so locate one here at Medical Malpractice Universe and schedule an appointment today.