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Medical Malpractice
- When Will Doctors, Nurses, Stop Making Mistakes?
- No News is Good News? Not When it Comes to Medical Tests.
- Virginia Medical Malpractice Award Upheld for Brain Injured Mother
- Attack of the Killer Computers: Do computers harm Virginia patients?
- Believe that outpatient procedure errors don’t happen in Va.? Think again!
Legal News
- Doctor Speaks Frankly About Medical Errors...
Posted on 3/24/2012 - Current Medical Malpractice System Needs Major Overhaul...
Posted on 3/23/2012 - Virginia Hospital Harms Toddler Fighting Cancer...
Posted on 1/13/2012 - Long Delay in Test Results Harms Virginia Beach Woman...
Posted on 12/22/2011 - Study Shows Reality of Virginia Medical Malpractice Lawsuits...
Posted on 12/4/2011 - Study: Failure to Report Diagnostic Tests a Common Medical Mistake...
Posted on 11/26/2011 - Family of Medical Malpractice Victim Works to Prevent Hospital Errors...
Posted on 10/21/2011 - Back and Forth Continues over NC Medical Liability Reform Law...
Posted on 8/17/2011 - Virginia Doctor Faces Medical Malpractice Lawsuit...
Posted on 5/30/2011 - Spines Fracture- Doctors Misdiagnose- You Suffer...
Posted on 4/27/2011
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Medical Malpractice
- Hospitals Encourage Patients to Bust Dirty Doctors, Nurses
- Medical Mistakes are Still Too Common in Virginia, Nationwide
- What is the Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Lawsuits in Virginia?
- Ensuring That You Get the Results of Your Diagnostic Tests Could Save Your Life
- One Example of How Dangerous Medical Mistakes Cause Serious Birth-Related Injuries
Current News- Virginia and North Carolina
Study: Failure to Report Diagnostic Tests a Common Medical Mistake
Posted on Nov 26, 2011
Most doctors order diagnostic tests for their patients on a regular basis. These tests help physicians rule out medical conditions and pinpoint a diagnosis; however, a recent study shows that diagnostic physicians in Virginia and across the country are increasingly being sued for medical malpractice.
Explanations for the Uptick in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
One reason for the dramatic increase is that physicians are ordering more diagnostic examinations than ever before. The study notes that during the seven year period of 1996 and 2003, malpractice payments related to an improper or missed diagnosis increased by upwards of 40 percent. Mistakes included in this category include:
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Communication failure
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Failure of doctors and/or patients to receive test results
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Delays in the delivery of report findings
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Lengthy turnaround times
Even if doctors are ordering more tests, however, there is no excuse for a patient to be left in the dark as to their condition. Under reporting of test results harm thousands of patients a year by delaying needed treatments and treating for the wrong condition.
Protecting Yourself from a Medical Mistake
In order to ensure that you receive your test results in a timely manner, you must remain vigilant. If you have not heard from the doctor's office a few days after the tests, call. Your instance can prevent a missed diagnosis and may very well save your life. The staff and attorneys at Tavss Fletcher hope that the medical world will take this issue seriously and improve in the reporting of test results to patients and other doctors.
Read More About Study: Failure to Report Diagnostic Tests a Common Medical Mistake...
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