In Wilmington, diagnostic delay issues frequently show up as “paperwork problems” that become medical problems—such as:
- abnormal imaging or lab results not clearly communicated to the patient
- incomplete discharge instructions after an ED visit or urgent care evaluation
- referrals that were recommended but not acted on quickly enough
- repeat visits where symptoms were trending worse, yet the workup didn’t change
When care is fragmented—common with multiple providers, community hospitals, and outpatient specialists—the case often turns on what each facility knew, when they knew it, and what a reasonably careful clinician should have done next.


