More than 20 percent of medical patients who pursue second opinions after hearing they have serious conditions find that their doctors misdiagnosed them during their first visits, according to a Mayo Clinic study. A total of 286 patients participated in the study, and...
People frequently underestimate the amount of risk involved in surgery. Surgical procedures have become such a common form of medical treatment that people assume it is generally safe. However, there are many major risks involved in even the most basic surgical...
Chicago has a reputation as being a metropolitan area with excellent medical services available. In years past, Chicago area hospitals have ranked among some of the top in the nation. The nonprofit organization the Leapfrog Group reviews information about hospital...
While many patients understand what to ask before they go into surgery, one of the things they may not know is what their medical provider should be disclosing after a surgery is complete. Many patients do ask themselves if a surgeon would tell them if something went...
Illnesses and injuries are stressful. Often the treatment and recovery phases are long and come with many limitations. When surgery is part of your treatment, it can make the process feel even more stressful. You may feel overwhelmed with questions, or you may not...
The process of getting ready for surgery requires a lot of extra effort from a patient. They may need to abstain from food and even drinks for hours before the procedure. Some people may require testing, and most everyone undergoing general anesthesia and significant...
The Chicago area has some of the finest hospitals in the country, and a recent study from a Washington-based nonprofit supports that claim. In our region, most patients can rely on the medical care and services they receive. Even though patients and their families...
While many people equate medical malpractice with egregious errors such as surgical mistakes and missed diagnoses, the negligence can often be traced to numerous unexpected sources. What many patients consider a simple process can become a dangerous hazard. In these...
When you go into the hospital for treatment or an operation, you want to be sure that the doctors and nurses are correctly assessing your condition, accurately diagnosing you and providing proper treatment. But many hospital patients would be truly alarmed if they...
There are many health conditions that are misdiagnosed. Unfortunately, depending on the misdiagnosis, a patient could suffer serious consequences or even death as a result.As a patient, it's important to seek second opinions and to find out if your test results or...
