G. Eric Nielson & Associates, LLC

One study, conducted by HealthGrades, found that "failure to rescue" (identify and treat heart disease in time) was responsible for 155 out of 1,000 hospitalized patients. But the study did not break down the numbers into types of misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis or other factors.

Another study surveyed patients seeking opinions about medical mistakes. The National Patient Safety Foundation found that of the people who reported a medical error about 40% blamed it on a "misdiagnosis or treatment error."

Misdiagnoses have been studied in hospital emergency departments across the United States - ranging from in rate from 20 to 40 percent. These particular misdiagnoses are estimated to be higher than those of the overall health care industry due to the critical and time-sensitive nature required of these diagnoses.

Malpractice and misdiagnosis
It is also interesting to note that a large proportion of medical malpractice cases are based on misdiagnosis or delayed treatment of serious conditions. The top five malpractice-risk conditions are:

• Myocardial infarction (cardiovascular disease)
• Breast cancer
• Appendicitis
• Lung cancer
• Colon cancer

Nearly all these suits involve cases of misdiagnosis or mismanaged diagnostic tests resulting in delayed treatment.

To learn more about what you can do if you have suffered due to a missed diagnosis, please contact the law office of G. Eric Nielson & Associates, serving clients in Salt Lake City, Price, Tooele and surrounding areas of Utah.