According to a study published by the Archives of Internal Medicine, doctors all to often fail to inform patients of abnormal test results. The study found that doctors failed to inform patients of abnormal test results 1 out of 14 times. This included tests such as cancer screenings, cholesterol blood work, Pap smears, mammograms and colorectal cancer screenings. At some doctors’ offices, the rate was as high as 26 percent.

 

What does this mean to you as a patient? It means that you shouldn’t assume that your test results are normal when you haven’t heard from you physician. If you’ve had tests but haven’t heard from your doctor, be proactive. Follow up with a call and get to the bottom of it. It could mean the difference between life and death.

If you or a loved one has developed complications due to a delayed diagnosis or delayed treatment because a doctor’s office failed to inform you of bad test results, you may have legal rights under Florida medical malpractice statutes. Call CGWC for a free consultation.