An iatrogenic disease is a condition caused by medical treatment, including diagnosis, intervention, error, or negligence. These adverse effects can result from reactions to drugs, surgical complications, hospital-acquired infections, or misdiagnosis. Examples include adverse drug reactions like antibiotic-associated diarrhea or complications from procedures such as hemorrhage after a diagnostic aspiration.   In my case, amoung other problems, it was blood clots.  In the arteries of both legs.  Treatment is life threatening, requiring surgical interventions and 24 hour a day critical care. Regardless of intentions and relative success, treatment is traumatic; treatment is torture.   

Causes and examples

Medications: 80mg/day of lipitor@pfizer the maximum allowable dose 

Example: Emotional & Cognitive distress; blood clots requiring significant additional blood thinning medications (Anticoagulants)

Medical and surgical procedures: Errors, complications, or inherent risks of procedures can lead to harm./death

Example:Inability to close femoral artery may result in bleeding to death

Diagnostic procedures: Inherent risks in diagnostic tests can cause harm. 

Example: Bleeding or infection from a biopsy, or an allergic reaction to contrast dye during an imaging test. 

Medical errors and negligence: Inappropriate communication, misdiagnosis, or lack of hygiene can also cause or contribute to iatrogenic conditions. 

Example: A nosocomial infection (hospital-acquired infection) due to poor sanitation or a psychological response from a psychiatrist's treatment. 

Prevention

Vigilant attention and care by a family member can minimize risks by carefully monitoring patient and adapting therapies to personal needs. 

Improving hospital sanitation and infection control practices is crucial for preventing hospital-acquired infections. 

Careful prescribing of medications and understanding potential side effects can help prevent many iatrogenic reaction 

No Fault Medical Insurance

The British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons is responsible for maintaining physicians and surgeons as not responsible for any and all averse side effects of properly prescribed treatments and procedures.