Wrong-site surgeries occur in many medical settings across New Mexico. These errors often lead to severe consequences for patients, both physically and emotionally. This persistent issue highlights a need for a reevaluation of modern surgical practices to mitigate its...
Common signs of mistreatment in nursing homes
A 2018 report from the New Mexico Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights revealed the state has an average of 11,500 elder abuse reports annually. Many of these are in nursing homes. These care facilities should be safe and caring places for elderly...
What testing can detect or prevent birth injuries?
Birth injuries occur to many babies in New Mexico and elsewhere. Sadly, some of these injuries are avoidable with the right type of screening. You should know about certain tests that can be done throughout your pregnancy to detect or even prevent birth injuries. When...
Potential misdiagnosis from blood pressure readings
Blood pressure readings for children and preteens should be taken from both arms. This conclusion comes after emerging research that involves significant differences in blood pressure depending on the arm used for the reading. If you live in New Mexico and suspect...
Medical errors ranked third leading cause of death in US
Medical malpractice claims and lawsuits in New Mexico are based on an array of different types of healthcare negligence. High on the proverbial list of underlying causes of medical malpractice in New Mexico and across the country are claims based on failure to...
More people under 50 are getting colon and rectal cancer
Both men and women in New Mexico and across the U.S. run a high risk for colorectal cancer. It's the third most common cancer behind lung and prostate cancer for men and lung and breast cancer for women. The CDC says that 52,547 people died from it in 2017, the latest...
POTS is a disorder often mistaken for depression
Diagnostic errors are not uncommon in New Mexico, and it's not always cancers that get misdiagnosed. A disorder of the autonomic nervous system known as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome affects 1 to 3 million Americans, yet according to one study from the...
Parkinson’s disease misdiagnosed in 1 of 4 cases
New Mexico residents should be aware that Parkinson's disease, with its more than 40 symptoms, can be hard to diagnose. There is, in fact, no single test for it. The condition affects more than 10 million people throughout the world. The research and support charity...
Dementia is not always Alzheimer’s
New Mexico residents who have been affected by a diagnosis of Alzheimer's in their family may be interested in information about a similar medical condition that is sometimes confused with Alzheimer's. Frontotemporal lobar degeneration is a type of dementia that is...
When patients should get a second opinion
Many New Mexico patients may have heard how it is extremely important to get a second opinion. However, thosewho are diagnosed with an illness may feel confused about their diagnosis and may want to begin treatment immediately. While prompt treatment can save a...