Studies Show Doctor’s Failure to Diagnose Appendicitis
Appendicitis is one of the most common surgical diagnosis’s made in the Emergency Room. However, failure to diagnose acute appendicitis is among the five leading causes of successful ER suits. A study found that as many as 30% of patients with acute appendicitis have been seen previously and were incorrectly diagnosed by a prior physician. A large number of appendicitis cases do not have a temperature, right lower abdominal pain or other findings. Missed or delayed diagnosis of acute appendicitis results in higher perforation or peritonitis cases with higher complication rates, such as death, recurrent small bowel obstruction due to adhesions, impaired fertility in women, and prolonged hospitalizations. These problems occur in Emergency Rooms all over the country, including Chicago. To read the full story, click here.
Bookmark: 
