Improving Outcomes – one case at a time
Dated : 15th April 2015
Misdiagnosis has its consequences. One of the worst consequences are financial stress. Chronic conditions takes a heavy toll on both the health and finances of the patient. The average healthcare costs for someone with one or more chronic illnesses is 5 times greater than someone with none. Also, chronic diseases account for $3 of every $4 spent on healthcare which is nearly $7,900 for every American dealing with a chronic illness. For those misdiagnosed, that cost increases since they have been diagnosed with a different illness and paid for the wrong treatments. Misdiagnosed patients who end up having chronic illnesses see rises in their healthcare costs like higher co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses.
Another consequence of misdiagnosis is more tolls on the health of the patient. Many cases where there was a misdiagnosis lead to fatal results. The federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that "28 percent of 583 diagnostic mistakes reported anonymously by doctors were life-threatening or had resulted in death or permanent disability". That is a staggering amount of cases resulting badly. Around 40,500 deaths result from cases that misdiagnosed breast cancer according to the journal BMJ Quality & Safety. Since misdiagnosis occurs frequently, there are more risks for the health of the patient that could lead to permanent disabilities or death.
1. Boodman, Sandra G. "Misdiagnosis Can Have Huge Impact on Patients."Daily Herald. The Washington Post, 13 May 2013. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130513/entlife/705139981/.
2. "The Impact of Chronic Diseases on Healthcare Costs." The Impact of Chronic Diseases on Healthcare Costs. GlaxoSmithKline, 24 July 2007. Web. 31 Mar. 2015. http://www.forahealthieramerica.com/ds/impact-of-chronic-disease.html.
3. N.d. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. http://www.aamft.org/iMIS15/AAMFT/Content/consumer_updates/chronic_illness.aspx.