Re: What Would You Do? Medical Error

adelle38 · ‎03-09-2010

On 3/18/2014 Ford1224 said:
On 3/18/2014 adelle38 said:
On 3/18/2014 Ford1224 said:
I also have sympathy for the other woman who may have cancer and think she doesn't. I hope they notify her that she has to be retested as well.

What makes you think there is another woman? It could be a typo in the OP's birth date.

Because the report discusses a 55-year-old woman, and the OP is not 55. It's obviously someone else's test results and not just a typo.

The person writing the report went by the date of birth. From what the OP says the biopsies were very specific to her situation so it' s likely a clerical error.

It's always a victory for me when I remember why I entered a room.

focksie · ‎03-04-2012

On 3/18/2014 Ford1224 said:
On 3/18/2014 adelle38 said:
On 3/18/2014 Ford1224 said:
I also have sympathy for the other woman who may have cancer and think she doesn't. I hope they notify her that she has to be retested as well.

What makes you think there is another woman? It could be a typo in the OP's birth date.

Because the report discusses a 55-year-old woman, and the OP is not 55. It's obviously someone else's test results and not just a typo.

Ford, that doesn't mean it's someone else's test results. The report states a 55 year old woman because that's how old the woman is with the incorrect DOB. When the DOB was finally corrected, the text that stated "55 year old woman" was not. It was left as is according to the incorrect DOB.

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

On 3/18/2014 adelle38 said:
On 3/18/2014 Ford1224 said:
On 3/18/2014 adelle38 said:
On 3/18/2014 Ford1224 said:
I also have sympathy for the other woman who may have cancer and think she doesn't. I hope they notify her that she has to be retested as well.

What makes you think there is another woman? It could be a typo in the OP's birth date.

Because the report discusses a 55-year-old woman, and the OP is not 55. It's obviously someone else's test results and not just a typo.

The person writing the report went by the date of birth. From what the OP says the biopsies were very specific to her situation so it' s likely a clerical error.

Even if it is "likely a clerical error," it's too important not to redo the testing, IMO.

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

gazelle77 · ‎03-01-2013

So much of the medical info that the doctor writes up is PREWRITTEN and they just change up a few words to fit the situation or patient. I asked for my written records from my Orthopedic surgeon after my double knee replacement and so much of it was just protocol.... and I found a couple errors that were not bad enough mention.....In One place it said that I was an overweight 57 year old female... well, I am 5'9" and at the time of surgery was 125 pounds.. hardly overweight and actually a bit too slim for my frame! In fact the surgeon always remarked at how great my light weight was for my new knees. He disliked overweight people from what I could gather... most knee replacement surgeons work on overweight patients and it is much harder to do the surgery. For your piece of mind... that you are dealing with a life or death situation possibly... I would make sure that this was just a mistake in birth date... and not someone else's information.

KYToby · ‎02-19-2012

I think you are taking it to far, BUT this is your health here, and if the only thing that will make you feel better is a retest, then I would fully support your decision.

The DOB error was, most likely, a typo or some other human error, and that is an easy fix on the administrator's part. In regards to the report, however, the administrator would not be authorized to change anything on the report (nor should she be able to) and quite possibly has not even seen it.

I would let it go, but for your peace of mind, I say follow whichever path you find most prudent.

BellaPaprika · ‎03-09-2010

Focksie, listen to me. I am in the medical field and I do not believe that you have to endure another painful arduous biopsy. The imaging center will have the actual biopsy films, slides, whatever. Have your doctor or you yourself go there and explain what happened. Show them the erroneous report. Have them recheck that the results are indeed of your biopsied tissue. Those would be clearly labeled with your name, medical #, etc..

You are right in being concerned and you want there to be no doubt that the report is yours but it should not have to involve a redo.

scotttie · ‎03-09-2010

On 3/18/2014 BlueCollarBabe said:
Focksie, listen to me. I am in the medical field and I do not believe that you have to endure another painful arduous biopsy. The imaging center will have the actual biopsy films, slides, whatever. Have your doctor or you yourself go there and explain what happened. Show them the erroneous report. Have them recheck that the results are indeed of your biopsied tissue. Those would be clearly labeled with your name, medical #, etc..

You are right in being concerned and you want there to be no doubt that the report is yours but it should not have to involve a redo.

Hello Focksie!

Blue Collar Babe has given you excellent advice. Indeed if you want to go further take your results to another doctor.

Another point that is, I think, important is this. No more phone calls. Do everything in writing. Writing shows that you are documenting your case.

You have a right to have this issue taken seriously. You are NOT overreacting.

focksie · ‎03-04-2012

On 3/18/2014 BlueCollarBabe said:
Focksie, listen to me. I am in the medical field and I do not believe that you have to endure another painful arduous biopsy. The imaging center will have the actual biopsy films, slides, whatever. Have your doctor or you yourself go there and explain what happened. Show them the erroneous report. Have them recheck that the results are indeed of your biopsied tissue. Those would be clearly labeled with your name, medical #, etc..

You are right in being concerned and you want there to be no doubt that the report is yours but it should not have to involve a redo.

Thank you. I feel a little better, but what if my biopsied tissue in the specimen jar or on the slide is labeled with my name and the incorrect date of birth? ${#emotions_dlg.ohmy}$

bells4me · ‎03-13-2010

I would make an appointment with my doctor to get my questions answered and not rely on anyone's advice here. Just my opinion.

maryebrown_1 · ‎09-14-2012

On 3/18/2014 beammeupscottie said:
On 3/18/2014 BlueCollarBabe said:
Focksie, listen to me. I am in the medical field and I do not believe that you have to endure another painful arduous biopsy. The imaging center will have the actual biopsy films, slides, whatever. Have your doctor or you yourself go there and explain what happened. Show them the erroneous report. Have them recheck that the results are indeed of your biopsied tissue. Those would be clearly labeled with your name, medical #, etc..

You are right in being concerned and you want there to be no doubt that the report is yours but it should not have to involve a redo.

Hello Focksie!

Blue Collar Babe has given you excellent advice. Indeed if you want to go further take your results to another doctor.

Another point that is, I think, important is this. No more phone calls. Do everything in writing. Writing shows that you are documenting your case.

You have a right to have this issue taken seriously. You are NOT overreacting.

Yes - they may be EMRs but they are still *medical documents*, and you have every right to get them corrected! Most Dr.s access records by name & DOB, and they have to be correct to be accurate.