What Happens if Doctors Fail to Detect My TBI in Baltimore?
Doctors must be very careful when dealing with head injury patients. Even if there is a slight chance of a head injury, healthcare providers should exercise extreme caution. Patients rely heavily on CT scans and other testing methods to determine the extent of their head injuries. If doctors fail to detect TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) due to negligence and malpractice, their patients could encounter life-threatening issues. What if you experience this medical malpractice firsthand? Can you sue a doctor for a missed diagnosis of TBI in Baltimore?
What Is a Missed TBI Diagnosis?
A missed TBI diagnosis occurs when doctors fail to detect the signs of a traumatic brain injury. The most common method for detecting TBIs is a CT scan. Also known as a “computed tomography scan,” this method involves a series of X-rays that produce a detailed image of the brain. A CT scan can potentially detect serious issues after a head injury. These include:
- Hemorrhages (brain bleeds)
- Hematomas (blood clots)
- Contusions (bruising in the brain)
- Swelling of the brain
CT scans are sometimes called “CAT scans.” While CT scans can detect some brain injuries, they are not 100% reliable. Often, minor brain injuries cannot be detected by this method. Even though they may be undetectable, these minor injuries may still affect your life in serious ways.
How Should Doctors Test for TBIs?
Doctors should not rely solely on CT scans to diagnose TBIs. There are other factors and tests to consider, including MRIs, intracranial pressure monitors, and the Glasgow Coma Scale.
Instead of simply looking at medical images, doctors should physically examine the patient, ask them questions, and search for less obvious TBI symptoms. These might include slurred speech, lack of coordination, memory issues, confusion, irritability, and so on.
The Glasgow Coma Scale involves a 15-point test. This is the most common and widely accepted TBI test, and doctors should consider it when dealing with head injury patients. To administer this test, doctors examine eye movement, limb coordination, and communication skills.
How Common Are Missed TBI Diagnoses
A study by the National Institutes of Health states that TBIs may go undetected more than 50% of the time. In other words, visiting a hospital to determine whether you have a TBI is a bit like flipping a coin. Other studies show an even worse margin of error, with a detection failure rate that exceeds 80%.
Contact an Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Baltimore
If doctors fail to detect your TBI, you are fully entitled to consider legal action. Healthcare providers must follow clear, strict protocols when handling potential TBIs. Any deviation from standard operating procedures could cause serious health issues for innocent patients. Head injuries can easily become fatal if not properly treated. If a missed TBI diagnosis in Baltimore has harmed you or someone you love, contact the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at Furman Honick Law today. We’ll help you pursue justice and compensation.
Sources:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24549169/
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20378561
