In the current age of high technology, rapid advancements, and designer drugs, it may seem surprising to some to realize that one of the most important tools when it comes to patient safety in the medical field in Illinois continues to be proper hand washing. Studies show that effectively washing…
Every day of the year, American patients present to a hospital or other medical facility in need of help. Some need urgent, emergency care that was not planned ahead of time. Others are undergoing a scheduled procedure or testing to help identify a problem or issue. No matter why someone…
A newly published report in the medical journal Neurology links a popular pain medication with the increased presence of birth defects when that medication is used by pregnant women. The medicine, Lyrica, is primarily used in the treatment of fibromyalgia and other nerve conditions associated with pain but has some…
Recently, a new study out of Johns Hopkins University made waves when it concluded that medical errors are now the third leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for more than 250,000 deaths every year. Others have been quick to verify the status of medical mistakes as causing…
It’s a reality that many people do not like to talk about: mistakes in healthcare. The fact remains that doctors, nurses, and others in the medical field are human and are prone to errors and mix ups just like anyone else is, but unlike those in different professions, the results…
Chicago residents who are experiencing a medical problem often present to a hospital, physician’s office, or surgical center, trusting that those who work in these facilities will be responsible with patient care and will focus on safety. Yet new data released by the Food and Drug Administration suggests that patient…
Every person gets sick or injured at some point in their lives and will need medical care. Often, when that person presents to a doctor, hospital, or physician, the ill patient will defer to the doctor’s judgment in determining what the issue is and what course of treatment to follow.…
We know that misdiagnosis occurs in family practice offices in Illinois, but before this year there were no comprehensive studies done to determine how often misdiagnosis occurs in a typical family practice in the United States. Recently an article was published in JAMA Internal Medicine revealing that in 190 cases…
According to the nation’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a Maryland man died from rabies 17 months after receiving an infected organ during a transplant surgery. In addition, CDC officials stated three other individuals who received organs from the infected donor, including an Illinois man, are receiving anti-rabies…
Recently, Cook County commissioners voted to pay $20 million to settle a medical malpractice lawsuit filed against Cook County’s public health system. The lawsuit was brought by a mother after her three-year-old boy sustained irreversible brain damage as a result of a cardiac arrest after surgeons at Stroger Hospital tried…