The Danger of Unread Medical Test Results

The Danger of Unread Medical Test Results

Diagnostic errors are among the most common underlying causes of New York City medical malpractice.

It is self-evident that medical professionals must make reasonable decisions about ordering tests, must diligently read the results, and must make fair assessments of the next steps required based on those results.

Wrongful diagnosis | Medical Malpractice

However, a new research effort suggests that some facilities might have systematic problems with these testing issues.

Specifically, the study showed that medical tests completed just prior to patient hospital discharge are often never read or acted upon.

Table of Contents

The Research

The report, published in Archives of Internal Medicine earlier this month, looked at more than 660,000 tests ordered for more than 6,700 patients at a single metropolitan hospital.

The lead author of this study noted:

“We know that many tests that are ordered in hospitals never get looked at, yet these tests carry as much important information about patient health as other tests.”  

The study’s goal was to look at why doctors go to the trouble of ordering tests they never look at.

The research found that close to 50% of all tests ordered on the day a patient is discharged are never looked at.

The lead author summarized that:

“Some of these are unnecessary and represent a major opportunity to save on costs… Others are clinically significant, and should be followed up.”

Specifically, although discharge-day tests account for only seven percent of tests ordered, they account for 47 percent of unread tests at the time of discharge and 41 percent of unread tests two months after discharge.

Solutions

This failure to read and follow up on test results presents a risk to patient health, as the test results could contain important or even life-saving information that medical professionals ignore.

Those familiar with the problem note several ideas of how to solve or minimize the issue.

One obvious solution is keeping records matching patient discharges to tests and warning hospital staff that the patient has left.

Electronic medical records may prove crucial, with the potential to automatically remind doctors to look at test results.

As it is, patients often fall through the cracks when they leave or are moved.

It becomes more complicated after the patient is discharged to know who is responsible for reviewing the tests.

Another study author, a professor of medicine at Harvard, agreed that electronic records could be a solution and added that alerts could be sent directly to the patient’s’ primary care doctor.

A more traditional solution is better planning–having the discharge procedure begin earlier to allow for more time before the patient actually walks out the door.

Patients themselves can also be proactive, calling the hospital or their doctor to follow up on any remaining test results.

As a New York medical malpractice lawyer, I understand the significant problem uprooted by this research.

Test results should be ordered when necessary and the results always examined.

Deviating from this common-sense principle is inefficient and dangerous.

Frequently Asked Questions

Join the Discussion

Leave a Reply

Do You
Have A Case?

Here, at The DiPietro Law Firm, we’re committed to helping victims of sexual abuse and assault find the justice they deserve.

All information discussed during our consultations always remains completely 100% confidential.

Would you like our help?

About Anthony T. DiPietro

Founder Anthony T. DiPietro, Esq. is a compassionate and skilled trial attorney who has completely dedicated the past 23 years of his career to litigating medical malpractice and sexual abuse cases against major corporate institutions including hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and other wrongdoers.

Mr. DiPietro has also obtained some of New York State’s highest verdicts and settlements, and has been selected to New York State Super Lawyers® each year, for the past 10 years in a row.

In 2022, Mr. DiPietro was selected as one of America’s Top 100 High-Stakes Litigators for the landmark cases he’s won on behalf of survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Verdicts & Settlements
Recent Posts

Do You
Have A Case?

Here, at The DiPietro Law Firm, we’re committed to helping victims of sexual abuse and assault find the justice they deserve.

All information discussed during our consultations always remains completely 100% confidential.

Would you like our help?

Related Articles

Cases We're Currently Litigating

Years of Abuse:  1987 – 2016

Brief: 

Robert Hadden, a disgraced Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB/GYN) who worked for Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, was criminally convicted in 2016 of sexually exploiting and abusing patients under the guise of medical care.

Hadden used his position of authority and trust to sexually exploit women and girls for nearly three decades as a Columbia University physician.

All the while, Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital administrators turned their backs and ignored reports of Hadden’s abuse, gaslighting patients and the public.

Read More:

Years of Abuse:  1979 – 2022

Brief: 

David H. Broadbent is a former OB/GYN under criminal investigation and facing civil lawsuits for sexual abuse of patients.

Broadent worked at multiple medical facilities in the Provo, Orem and Salt Lake City, UT areas.

These facilities included Intermountain Healthcare’s Utah Valley Hospital, MountainStar Healthcare’s Timpanogos Hospital, other Utah health care providers, and he also had adverse action taken against his medical license back in 1990.

Read More:

Years of Abuse:  1961 – 1996

Brief: 

22 predator teachers and administrators, over the course of 35 years.

Free Consultation Helpline

If you have any questions about whether or not you have a case, or just want to obtain more information about what you’ve experienced – feel free to contact us through our secure website chat.

You can also contact us by calling us at (212) 233-3600 or toll free at (800) 215-1003.

All of our consultations are free and 100% confidential. Thank you.