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We did not take the Bureaucratic Oath
Medical Errors are the third leading cause of death nationwide according to the National Institute of Health.
Practices owned by a hospital report higher preventable hospital admission and readmission rates among their patients than small, independent practices, according to a report published by the Annals of Family Medicine.
That's sometimes because doctors employed by large conglomerates are often prohibited from referring patients to providers outside their health system. So a patient might not be able to see a specialist with expertise on a particular health condition if that specialist isn't part of the referring provider's network.
Comparing Common Diagnostic Errors
Depression
Symptoms:
Depressed Mood
Loss of Interest or Pleasure
Weight Gain
Appetite Decrease
Sleep Increase
Constipation
Decreased Libido
Fatigue
Decreased Concentration
Treatment: Individualized based on risk factors: Increase exercise; Diet Modification, Therapy, possible use of medications or noninvasive procedures
Hypothyroid
Symptoms:
Depressed Mood
Loss of Interest or Pleasure
Weight Gain
Appetite Decrease
Sleep Increase
Constipation
Decreased Libido
Fatigue
Decreased Concentration
Treatment: Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
Bipolar 1
Symptoms:
Subtle Personality Changes
Deteriorating Performance in School
Depression
Irritability
Psychosis
Treatment: No known cure, mood stabilizers
Wilson's Disease
Symptoms:
Subtle Personality Changes
Deteriorating Performance in School
Depression
Irritability
Psychosis
5 year median survival if untreated. Wilson Disease is universally fatal if untreated
Treatment: Liver Transplant is curative
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms:
Unexpected weight loss
Food aversion
Vomiting
Fatigue
Recurrent Headache
Vitamin Deficiencies
Treatment: Therapy, Antidepressants, Decreased discussion regarding food choice
Celiac Disease
Symptoms:
Unexpected weight loss
Food Aversion
Vomiting
Fatigue
Recurrent Headache
Vitamin Deficiencies
Treatment: Gluten Free Diet, increased discussion regarding food choice
Schizoaffective
Symptoms:
Agitation
Confusion
Hallucinations
Psychosis
Neuromuscular Excitability
Treatment: Lithium, Antipsychotics
Lithium Toxicity
Symptoms:
Agitation
Confusion
Hallucinations
Psychosis
Neuromuscular Excitability
Treatment: Dialysis, Stop Lithium
Schizophrenia
Symptoms:
Agitation
Hallucinations
Bizarre Speech
Depersonalization
Restlessness
Treatment: Antipsychotics (known to increase risk of seizures)
Alcohol Withdrawal
Symptoms:
Agitation
Hallucinations
Bizarre Speech
Depersonalization
Restlesness
Treatment: Emergent treatment in ICU with benzodiazepines, monitor for seizures
Personality Disorder
Symptoms:
Depressive Symptoms
Manic Symptoms
Psychotic Symptoms
Personality Changes
Treatment: Therapy
Steroid Side Effects
Symptoms:
Depressive Symptoms
Manic Symptoms
Psychotic Symptoms
Personality Changes
Treatment: Stop Steroids
Hyperthyroidism
Symptoms:
Increased energy
Decreased sleep
Decreased appetite
Irritability
Flight of Ideas
Rapid Speech
Treatment: Thyroid blocker, beta blocker
Acute Stroke
Symptoms:
Difficulty Walking
Coordination Problems
Rapidly Worsening Symptoms
Pins and Needles
Treatment: Emergency CT scan of head at Stroke Center to evaluate for bleed; Possible neurosurgery vs. blood thinners
Guillan Barre
Symptoms:
Difficulty Walking
Coordination problems
Rapidly Worsening Symptoms
Pins and Needles
Treatment: Repeat physical exams, ICU care if impending respiratory issues, Intravenous Immunoglobulins (Antibodies)
Acute Stroke
Symptoms:
Difficulty Walking
Coordination Problems
Rapidly Worsening Symptoms
Pins and Needles
Treatment: Emergency CT scan of head at Stroke Center to evaluate for bleed; Possible neurosurgery vs. blood thinners
Physiologic Reflux
Symptoms:
Nonbilious Vomiting
Vomiting after feeding
Irritability
Arching of Back
Variable Appetite
Treatment: Options include Dietary Modification, Antacids, Prescription Medication, and more
Pyloric Stenosis
Symptoms:
Nonbilious Vomiting
Vomiting after feeding
Irritability
Arching of Back
Strong Appetite
Treatment: Pediatric Surgery with post operative ICU monitoring
Guillan Barre
Symptoms:
Difficulty Walking
Coordination problems
Rapidly Worsening Symptoms
Pins and Needles
Treatment: Repeat physical exams, ICU care if impending respiratory issues, Intravenous Immunoglobulins (Antibodies)
Ammonia Encephalopathy
Symptoms:
Increased energy
Decreased sleep
Decreased appetite
Irritability
Flight of Ideas
Rapid Speech
Treatment: Stop Depakote (cause), Lactulose
Schizophrenia
Symptoms:
Agitation
Hallucinations
Bizarre Speech
Depersonalization
Restlessness
Treatment: Antipsychotics, no known cure
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Overdose
Symptoms:
Agitation
Hallucinations
Bizarre Speech
Depersonalization
Restlessness
Treatment: Lock up Benadryl in house, Supportive Care in ICU is curative
Psychogenic Dysphagia
Symptoms:
Difficulty Swallowing
Painful Swallowing
Weight Loss
Oral Dysfunction
Treatment: Psychotherapy, decreased attention to difficulty swallowing behavior by family, appetite stimulants
Oropharyngeal Cancer
Symptoms:
Difficulty Swallowing
Painful Swallowing
Weight Loss
Oral Dysfunction
Treatment: Cancer medications, empathy