What Is A Failure To Diagnose Kidney Failure?

One of the most serious forms of medical malpractice is the failure to diagnose a condition, particularly when it involves kidney failure. Kidney failure, or renal failure, is a condition where the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. Early diagnosis is critical to preventing the progression of the disease.

Understanding Kidney Failure and How It is Diagnosed

Kidney failure can develop gradually over time (chronic kidney disease) or occur suddenly (acute kidney injury). The condition can stem from various causes, including diabetes, hypertension, and autoimmune diseases. Common symptoms include fatigue, swelling in the extremities, changes in urine output, and confusion, but these symptoms can be vague and overlap with other conditions. Therefore, timely and accurate diagnosis is critical.

Healthcare providers typically diagnose kidney failure through a combination of blood tests, urine tests, and imaging studies. Blood tests measure creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, both of which are key indicators of kidney function. Urine tests assess protein levels and other markers of kidney damage, while imaging studies, such as ultrasounds, can reveal structural abnormalities.

How Can Medical Providers Fail to Diagnose Kidney Failure?

Several factors can contribute to a healthcare provider’s failure to diagnose kidney failure:

Misinterpretation of Symptoms

The non-specific nature of kidney failure symptoms can lead to their misinterpretation as less severe or unrelated conditions, resulting in a missed or delayed diagnosis.

Failure to Conduct Appropriate Tests

Some healthcare providers may not order necessary tests, particularly if they do not consider kidney failure a likely diagnosis. This oversight can occur even when patients present with risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease.

Communication Breakdowns

In some cases, communication lapses between healthcare providers, such as primary care physicians and specialists, can lead to the failure to follow up on abnormal test results or to refer patients for further evaluation.

Pursuing a Claim for Failure to Diagnose Kidney Failure

When a healthcare provider fails to diagnose kidney failure, and this failure results in harm to the patient, it may constitute medical malpractice. To prove malpractice, the patient (plaintiff) must demonstrate the following:

Duty of Care

The healthcare provider had a duty to provide care that meets accepted medical standards.

Breach of Duty

The provider breached this duty by failing to diagnose the kidney failure, either by not ordering the appropriate tests or by misinterpreting the results.

Causation

The breach directly caused harm to the patient, such as the progression of kidney failure to a more severe stage, leading to additional health complications or the need for more invasive treatments.

Damages

The patient suffered damages as a result, which can include physical pain, emotional distress, medical expenses, lost wages, and diminished quality of life.

Contact A White Plains Medical Malpractice Attorney Today

Failure to diagnose kidney failure is a serious issue with profound implications for patient health and well-being. When this failure constitutes medical malpractice, affected patients have the right to seek compensation for the harm they have suffered. Arrange a free consultation with a skilled White Plains medical malpractice lawyer from Fiedler Deutsch, LLP to learn your legal options today.