Errors in medical test results are common. For example, studies report that up to 12 percent of mammogram results are false positive, meaning they report seeing a lump or mass that is not actually present. Those same studies report that up to 20 percent of all breast cancers are not detected in a routine mammogram, thus labeled false negative.
Equally disturbing are the number of errors reported in studies of laboratory tests, such as blood tests, biopsies, and other tests requiring analysis of tissue or specimens. While the percentage of errors may be small, with tens of millions of tests done each year, the number of wrong results affects over 12 million patients annually.
Wrong test results often lead to a wrong diagnosis. Testing errors may mean a patient is prescribed a medication that is inappropriate. These errors can cause serious negative outcomes, including death.
Yet, as common as medical testing errors may be, there is much you can do to protect yourself from these errors or know when a result may be wrong. Here are some tips to help you not become a victim of an error.
Is this normal? Many errors occur when the test is being administered. An inexperienced technician or overworked nurse may have trouble with the machinery or equipment while testing you. I recently had an ultrasound test, and the technician kept saying she was having trouble getting an accurate picture. The results of that test indicated a problem. I told the doctor what had happened and rather than immediately ordering a bevy of additional tests, he ordered a repeat of the original test. The repeat came back clear. The doctor thanked me for catching that problem and indicated I saved a great deal of time and money by being alert to the problem.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions of those administering a test if things don’t seem right. Be alert to differences you noticed that are different from when you have had the test before.
Are they your results? Many errors are caused by mislabeling the samples or the pictures taken. It is not uncommon for one person’s specimens to be mislabeled and/or mixed up with another patient’s tests. This can occur at the testing site or where the analysis is going to occur. To lower your risk of such a mix-up, make sure the technician has asked for your name and birthdate. This should occur before the test is administered as well as after. If you were not asked for this information, ask the technician to double-check the labeling of your sample or picture.
Question results. Obviously, you cannot catch every potential error before the results are reported, so be ready to work with your doctor when the results come in. If, for example, a test you have often, such as basic blood work, is greatly different from previous results, an error might have occurred. You and your doctor should discuss that possibility and decide whether to move ahead with further testing/treatment or repeat the test.
