Healthcare stinks!

[Fit_mommy]

OMG! A news report that I just heard....

One woman was mis-diagnosed with breast cancer due to a pathology report mix up. She had a double masectomy before the mistake was found!

Now because of this, there is a woman who DOES have cancer but who's treatment was delayed because she was told she was HEALTHY!!!!

YIKES!x( x( x(

 

[dlavie]

You read these horror stories and then you wonder why there is such a hue and cry against medical lawsuits. I know there are silly lawsuits we can all do without, but would there be a cap on a case like this one?

There was an Army soldier that was having a testicle removed because of cancer, the Army doctor removed the wrong one, then removed the malignant one. Now this 30 year old is going to have to take injections the rest of his life to prevent bone loss not to mention the sexual dysfunction. Of course members of the military can't sue the military doctors.

My orthopedic surgeon has his Xray technician mark left and right on the xray by using a metal R and L placed on the body. Shows up clear as day on the xray.

 

[debbydarestobefit]

Double yikes! I'd be angry and upset in whose-ever shoes in this situation. OTH, the most common mistake in any field is human error. Even the best scientist, technician, doctor, nurse, etc. can make an error at some point in her/his career. Safeguards are in place and everyone wants to do a great job ... but things can still happen - that's life in the world of imperfect humans. That's why getting a second test for verification is soooo important. Even if insurance won't cover it -- we should all try to have enough $ saved to cover second tests for things like this.

 

[teddy16410]

I was in for nerve testing 2 weeks ago for my right shoulder.... The tech came in and started to hook me up on the left leg! I am no longer surprised by any of it- Patients MUST take charge of their care and question every detail.... "How will you insure, once I'm under, that the correct bodypart gets operated on?".... I am horrified for these poor people.

 

[jonahnah]

My sister used pernament marker on her abdomen when she had hernia surgery!

Jonahnah
Chocolate IS the answer, regardless of the question.

 

[mtnmom99]

When I was pregnant with DS #2, I had (what I thought) routine lab tests done. When the doctor got the results back, something showed up as being horribly wrong with my kidneys. There was no reason to test my kidneys, it was never mentioned they were going to test my kidneys, I had no pain - why was this test performed? Or was it? It was not a routine test. If I had the problem that the test indicated I had, I was told I would be having severe pain (I wasn't).

Obviously, someone mixed up my test with someone else's, or checked the wrong box.

But I had to go back and have more lab tests done. x(

Yep, mistakes happen. At least mine only resulted in more tests, I'm glad they didn't rush me into surgery to remove one or both kidneys.

How awful for both those women though!

Diane

 

[WormwoodScrubs]

I saw this woman on the news this morning. And to think, they confused her results with another patient's - so there is another patient who DID have breast cancer yet was neither told nor treated.

While I admire almost all doctors, nurses, and others in the health care profession (as the sight of blood and/or even a band-aid makes me weak in the knees), stories like the aforementioned frighten me and make me a bit wary.

If you want to read a truly terrifying tale of unnacceptable (and unbelievable) behavior within the medical field, check out James B. Stewart's "Blind Eye."

 

[johnson03]

Wow, I feel really bad for that lady. I can't even imagine something like that happening! I agree, you definitely should always ask for a second opinion, especially when it is something as serious as cancer. Even when doctors are meticulous, no one is perfect and mistakes happen.

ETA I actually don't think that healthcare stinks. I think it is probably filled with people like you and me who work hard and try and do the best for the people they are caring for. At least, most of the health care professionals I have come in contact with seem like that. There are always a few bad apples.