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Medical malpractice can take place in any area of medicine, including urology. Mistakes, negligence, and errors related to urological problems and conditions can result in life-threatening conditions. In some cases, urologic malpractice can have devastating consequences that change a person’s standard of living. If you suspect malpractice may be the cause of your urologic problems, contact a New Jersey urologic malpractice lawyer for help.
What Types of Medical Conditions Are Treated by Urologists?
A urologist treats a variety of issues related to the male reproductive system and urinary tract. Women visit a urologist for issues related to the urinary tract since gynecologists provide treatment for the female reproductive system. Therefore, a urologist might treat both genders for urinary tract infections, bladder problems, and incontinence. They would also treat male patients for issues such as erectile dysfunction. Urologists also perform vasectomies.
Common types of Urologic Malpractice
As with other areas of medicine, things can go wrong when receiving treatment from a urologist. Some bad results are not within the urologist’s control. Every medical procedure and treatment have various risks and outcomes depend on numerous factors.
However, medical negligence and errors can also cause bad outcomes. Six of the most common types of urological malpractice are:
1. Failure to Diagnose or Misdiagnosis
If a urologist fails to diagnose a problem or misdiagnoses a condition, the patient can suffer additional harm. Delays in treatment or failing to prescribe the correct treatment because of misdiagnosis can lead to life-threatening conditions and permanent impairments.
2. Failing to Order Diagnostic Tests
There are several diagnostic tests designed to detect bladder cancer, kidney stones, prostate cancer, kidney blockages, and kidney cancer. Failing to order x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and blood work can delay diagnosis or result in a misdiagnosis.
3. Anesthesia Errors and Surgical Errors
Mistakes and errors during surgery can result in death and irreversible conditions. Surgeries and procedures performed by urologists include, but are not limited to, vasectomy, circumcision, bladder suspension, urethroplasty, penal implants, and cystoscopy.
4. Prescription Medication Errors
Prescription medication is useful to treat a variety of urological conditions. However, the wrong medication can cause serious problems. A urologist who makes medication errors could cause a patient’s condition to worsen or could result in the patient developing another medical problem, including life-threatening conditions.
5. Failure to Monitor Patients
A doctor should monitor patients closely throughout their treatment, including after surgery or other procedures. A urologist who fails to monitor a patient may fail to detect a serious complication or infection.
6. Failing to Obtain Informed Consent
Before performing any treatment, surgery, or prescribing medication, a urologist should explain the benefits and risks associated with the proposed course of action. The doctor should also discuss any other potential treatment plans and why the doctor is proposing this course of treatment instead of another course of treatment. Patients have the right to have full disclosure of all information before deciding on a course of treatment.
Contact a New Jersey Urologic Malpractice Lawyer for Help
Urologic malpractice can result in traumatic injuries and death for a patient. Doctors who make mistakes or errors should and can be held liable for their negligence. However, you have a limited time to file a claim. As soon as possible, contact a New Jersey urologic malpractice lawyer to investigate the matter. Your urologist might be liable for damages under New Jersey’s medical malpractice laws.