CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Two years ago, CNN news anchor Jake Tapper almost lost his then-14-year-old daughter Alice.
“Alice became very ill, was misdiagnosed as having appendicitis, and almost died from sepsis due to the misdiagnosis,” Tapper said.
“I felt so helpless,” Alice’s mother Jennifer Tapper said. “But I was already at the children’s hospital for her, so she was locked up because there was nowhere else to go.”
This began the Tapper family’s campaign to raise awareness about misdiagnosis, especially appendicitis. Doctors made an initial diagnosis of a viral infection, partly because Alice passed a “jump test” in which she jumped one inch, something she would not be able to do if she had appendicitis.
“They didn’t take my pain into account, whether it was the flu or abdominal pain,” Alice recalled of her first day in the hospital.
Physicians may have been guilty of “diagnostic momentum,” sticking to their initial diagnosis despite eventual evidence to the contrary. As a result, Alice was unable to undergo the imaging tests needed to diagnose her ruptured appendix, which led to sepsis from a blood infection.
“Some 7,000 children a year die from sepsis, and in many cases it is highly preventable,” Tapper said. “So Alice wants hospitals to be aware of the dangers of misdiagnosis.”
After going to a second hospital and calling the hospital’s director, Alice was able to receive the correct diagnosis and treatment. Tappers understand that not everyone has the power to get their case the attention it deserves.
“One in 12 Americans will experience a misdiagnosis, either a delayed diagnosis or an incorrect diagnosis,” said Dr. Jenny Ward Robinson, CEO of the Association for the Improvement of Medical Diagnosis. .
Alice and Jake Tapper will be keynote speakers Monday morning at the Association for the Improvement of Medical Diagnostics’ medical conference in Cleveland.
“This has become a family affair,” Jake Tapper said. “Not because we’re trying to get revenge, but because we’re trying to make sure no other family has to go through this again.”
A 2020 study from the University of Michigan shows that 25,000 children get appendicitis each year, and 5% have an experience similar to Alice. The number is over 1000.
“Alice and I, Jake, are speaking out about this issue because we want to prevent this from happening to other children and families,” Jennifer said.
Jennifer suggests asking your doctor questions, demanding answers, doing your own research (even Google), and acting as your own advocate.
Alice’s ordeal began in November 2021, when she lost 20 pounds during her first two weeks in hospital. After her correct diagnosis was made, she had to go to the hospital multiple times to have her fluids drained and finally had her appendix removed five months later in March.
“It was a great experience to be a part of,” Alice said of advocating for change.
Medical Diagnostic Improvement Association (SIDM) is holding a conference called “The Future of Diagnostics: Achieving Excellence and Equity” in Cleveland through Wednesday.
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