A study performed by researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York indicates that 7 percent of patients are not notified of abnormal medical test results. The researchers found that out of 1,889 patients with abnormal test results, 135 were not notified. The study was based on information gleaned from over 5000 patient medical records from 4 medical centers and 19 primary care physicians.
Even more disconcerting, when the numbers were analyzed further, they showed that 23 percent of abnormal test results were not reported at 2 of the large medical centers. Hospitals and physicians should have policies and procedures in place that specify how and when patients are notified of any abnormal test results.
The law firm of the Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC represented a patient who was not provided with the appropriate test results by her primary care physician. This failure tragically lead to a delay in diagnosing colon cancer. If you have suffered as a result of the medical malpractice of a physician or other health care provider, please contact us.
Website Resources:
New York researchers reveal doctor’s medical malpractice, Justice New Flash, June 29, 2009.
