Delays in Diagnosis and Treatment

Examples of cases of a delay in diagnosis and/or treatment include:

Delays in diagnosing a hemorrhage that leads to shock and death or brain damage
Delays in evaluating and quickly treating a patient following an acute stroke leading to permanent brain injury or death
Delays in treating an infection that leads to loss of limb or life

For example, many infectious organisms produce chemicals during their life cycle which are damaging to the body tissue or function. Septic shock is an example of an infection so advanced that chemicals released by or present as a consequence of the infection interfere with the body’s ability to maintain blood pressure. Shock occurs. Vital organs are deprived of adequate circulation because of the falling blood pressure. Multi-system organ failure results. If infection is not treated properly before the occurrence of multi-system organ failure, death is likely. This demonstrates the danger of delay.

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