The worst-rated hospitals in Chicago, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2020-22 rankings, are University of Chicago Medical Center, Weiss Memorial Hospital, and Loretto Hospital. University of Chicago Medical Center, ranked the lowest at #43 out of 66 hospitals in the Chicago metropolitan area, has a score of 47.7 out of 100 compared to the national average of 67.3. Weiss Memorial Hospital, ranked #45, has a score of 49.3, while Loretto Hospital, ranked #62, has a score of 58.2. The lowest-ranked hospitals in Chicago are criticized for poor patient experience, high infection rates, and inadequate quality of care.

These hospitals have been the subject of numerous medical malpractice lawsuits and have a low rating with the Joint Commission, the accrediting body for the healthcare industry. Patients have brought malpractice lawsuits against the hospital for misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, and failure to diagnose. In many cases, the misdiagnosis of a medical condition led to additional and unnecessary treatments, or worse, a delayed or missed diagnosis of a serious condition.

In some cases, a misdiagnosis can even be fatal. If you believe you or someone you love has been the victim of medical malpractice due to a misdiagnosis, it is important to seek the counsel of a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer. Seeking compensation requires proving fault, and to do that, you need to know the most common symptoms of misdiagnosis. Let’s take a look at a few.

Being Underweight

Being underweight can be a sign that you have been misdiagnosed. It can be a sign that the underlying condition is not being properly treated or managed. In some cases, a misdiagnosis can lead to an inadequate or incorrect treatment plan which can cause a person to lose weight. It can also be a sign that the doctor is not taking the necessary steps to properly diagnose the underlying condition. In addition, some medical conditions can cause weight loss without the person being aware of it, which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

A Sore Throat

A sore throat can often be an indication that you have been misdiagnosed. In some cases, a sore throat can be a sign of an infection or virus that has been overlooked. Other times, a sore throat can be a sign of allergies or acid reflux that has been treated with the wrong medications. In addition, a sore throat can be a sign of a more serious condition such as cancer, strep throat, or mononucleosis, all of which can be difficult to diagnose. When a sore throat is misdiagnosed, it can lead to serious health complications and even death.

Fever

Fever is a common symptom that can often indicate a range of health conditions. It can be a sign of a minor infection, such as the common cold, or it can indicate a more serious condition such as sepsis or meningitis. In some cases, a fever can be a sign of a bacterial or viral infection that has been missed. Misdiagnosis of a fever can lead to serious health complications, as the condition may not be treated properly or in a timely fashion. 

When a fever is misdiagnosed, it can lead to delays in treating the underlying condition, which can have serious consequences. In some cases, the underlying condition may progress to a more serious stage, leading to increased risk of complications or even death. In other cases, a fever can lead to an incorrect diagnosis, resulting in unnecessary and potentially dangerous treatments being prescribed.

“Cobbled” Blood

Cobbled blood is a medical term used to describe blood that has clumped together due to a decrease in the blood’s ability to clot. This occurs when the proteins involved in clotting, such as fibrinogen and thrombin, are not functioning correctly. Cobbled blood can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, such as liver disease, vitamin K deficiency, and certain medications. It can also occur due to an inherited disorder, such as hemophilia or afibrinogenemia.

Cobbled blood can lead to serious medical complications, such as excessive bleeding or thrombosis. This can occur when clotted blood is unable to move freely through the circulatory system. Excessive bleeding due to cobbled blood can cause further health problems, such as anemia. Thrombosis can lead to blockages in the arteries, which can cause a stroke, heart attack, or other serious conditions. Treatment for cobbled blood often involves medications to help the blood clot and surgery to remove any clotting that has occurred.

Persistent Heartburn

Persistent heartburn is very common after surgery or injury. If you have persistent heartburn after having surgery or an injury, it is common for heartburn to be misdiagnosed as another type of heartburn or even as acid reflux disease (GERD). If heartburn is misdiagnosed as another type of heartburn or GERD, it will usually not be treated properly and this could lead to heartburn that becomes more severe or even life-threatening.

Medical malpractice in Chicago public hospitals can have devastating effects on patients and their families. When a patient is misdiagnosed or not adequately treated, they may suffer serious and long-term health complications.

In cases where medical negligence is to blame, the affected individual and their family may have legal recourse and should consider speaking to an experienced medical malpractice attorney to learn more about their rights.