Cancer kills many people in New Mexico every year. There are certain types that are difficult to diagnose, especially during the early stages of the disease. People should be on the lookout for specific signs that one of these types of cancer may be present and then...
A New Mexico expectant mother might be familiar with the potential need for an episiotomy during the delivery process. However, this procedure is not always necessary, and an unneeded one could have long-term health consequences in some cases. A Bronx woman's case is...
Those who spend time in hospitals may already be wary of high-profile medical malpractice incidents, such as surgical errors. Experts, however, say that of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who perish from hospital mistakes each year, many die as a result of...
Each year, Americans file approximately 17,000 malpractice lawsuits against their doctors. According to the American Medical Association, general surgeons and OB-GYNs are more likely to be sued for malpractice than pediatricians and psychiatrists. However, just...
It is estimated that as many as 7,000 people become the victims of a fatal medication error each year. The risk of medication errors is not limited just to prescription drugs. A dosage mistake or other fatal error can just as easily happen with an over-the-counter...
Most hospitals in New Mexico and throughout the U.S. have computerized systems that allow physicians to enter medication orders for patients. However, a survey conducted by a patient safety group suggests that the software used by hospitals has problems flagging...
It has been estimated that one out of every seven men will eventually develop prostate cancer. When that cancer is not diagnosed in its early stages, it may spread quickly, making the long-term prognosis of a New Mexico male who has it less hopeful. Unfortunately,...
New Mexico residents may be concerned to learn that studies the looking into medication errors made during surgery may have greatly underestimated the problem. Most previous research into this area has relied on reports made by surgical staff, and it generally...
New Mexico residents who are scheduled for surgery might want to make sure the operation takes place in the correct area after a March report about a woman who had the wrong rib removed. The 60-year-old woman has filed a malpractice lawsuit against her surgeon after...
A New Mexico resident might want to learn about a physician's record before making an appointment, but it could actually be difficult to find this information. A Consumer Reports study has evaluated the issue of patient safety and access to pertinent information, and...
