Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Medical Errors in Outpatient Settings

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Urgent care centers, physician offices and same day surgical centers offer a more convenient alternative to lengthy and uncomfortable hospital emergency room visits and inpatient facilities. The growth of outpatient procedures and express medical centers that treat a greater number of patients more quickly also comes with an increase of medical mistakes.

The Journal of the American Medical Association reports nearly an equal amount of medical negligence claims between inpatient and outpatient facilities. The report studied over 10,000 medical malpractice claims in 2009 and found that 48 percent occurred in inpatient medical institutions and 43 percent of the claims were in outpatient settings.

Common Medical Mistakes for Outpatients

The cases reviewed by the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that the most common cause of medical malpractice claims in outpatient settings was misdiagnosis or the failure to diagnose. Many symptoms and ailments are consistent with several diseases and diagnoses and proper steps need to be taken to diagnose properly.

Smaller physician practices and medical centers may not have a large staff and less resources than hospitals. For this reason, some outpatient facilities fail to make a complete and thorough diagnosis. The equipment and diagnostic techniques in smaller patient settings may be less sophisticated in helping doctors order and interpret tests efficiently.

Since medical staff address more patients in urgent care locations, the standard of care may be compromised.  In addition, patients do not necessarily see the same physicians with each return visit and it is harder to follow the patient’s medical history, diagnosis or continuity of care.  For example, clinicians have more control over a hospitalized patient and can make the patient adhere to orders and prescribed medications while in the facility.

Medical malpractice and negligence is prevalent in both inpatient and outpatient care situations. Unfortunately misdiagnosis or a medical mistakes often result in serious, life threatening health conditions for patients.

Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamitlon Represent Victims of Medical Mistakes

Receiving a misdiagnosis or negligent medical treatment can have a detrimental impact on the outcome of your medical prognosis. Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at the LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton will provide you and your loved ones with dedicated and proficient legal representation to assist you with your medical malpractice claim. Call 800-547-4LAW (4529) today or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie and Towson, allowing us to represent victims of nursing home abuse and their families throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood and Elkridge.