New Mexico patients may be interested to learn that some harmful errors in drug prescribing occur because of 10-fold dosage mistakes. For example, a trailing zero, such as 1.0 mg, might be misread as 10 mg. Similarly, the lack of a leading zero could lead to confusion between .5 mg and 5 mg.
Diagnosis failure results in jury award
New Mexico patients who are concerned about whether their illnesses have been properly treated may be interested to learn of a case in which a hospital was required to pay $29 million to a patient because of a failure to diagnose her condition. The patient, who has Wilson's disease, is now suffering from significant complications because of a delayed diagnosis. According to the jury, the rare condition the woman had may have been treated with little difficulty if the hospital had given a diagnosis and treatment in a more timely fashion.
Many labeled with penicillin allergies are not really allergic
Someone designated as allergic to penicillin in New Mexico might not really have the allergy. It's important to know that being misdiagnosed with this allergy could alter someone's health care for a lifetime. Less effective and more expensive alternative drugs might be necessary when patients have penicillin allergies.
Preventing wrong-patient errors
New Mexico patients may be interested to learn that situations where a treatment or procedure is administered to the wrong patient still occur in all stages of diagnosis and treatment. In some cases, health care providers may document a patient's information in the wrong medical record or fail to verify that they have the right patient before making a diagnosis or administering a treatment. These errors can result in serious medical consequences or even death.
Was It Medical Malpractice?
Everyone who goes through a medical procedure of any kind hopes that it goes well. However, there are always risks. There is always the possibility of a bad outcome
Learning more about informed consent
Patients in New Mexico and throughout the country are entitled to have all the information necessary to make informed decisions about their medical treatment. Medical professionals are required to discuss alternate treatment options as well as the risks and possible prognosis after going through with a specific course of action. This information must be presented in a manner that is both detailed and easy to understand.
Jury awards $67 million to pacemaker patient
Copyright © 2014 Albuquerque Journal
Las Cruces case regarding improper pacemaker implant goes to jury
LAS CRUCES >> Jurors on Friday heard closing arguments in a civil trial based on accusations that a German company conspired with a doctor in 2007 to unnecessarily implant a pacemaker in a man's chest.
Jury awards Las Cruces couple $67 million for disputed pacemaker implant
By James Staley
LAS CRUCES >> A jury Monday awarded a Las Cruces couple nearly $70 million in damages after finding that a German company and one of its salesmen conspired to unnecessarily implant a pacemaker in 2007, marking the end of a lengthy civil trial.
Jury awards $9 million verdict against doctors
LAS VEGAS, N.M. - A Raton woman who suffered severe heart damage after her heart attack went undiagnosed for more than a day in 2006 won a multi-million judgment against three doctors on Friday.
