Incorrect test results led to incorrect cancer diagnoses

Over two dozen patients at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center received incorrect pathology test results, according to the findings by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. These false results led to several patients being diagnosed with cancer that did not have cancer, and one patient who did have cancer being diagnosed as being cancer free.

Cancer falsely diagnosed and treated

According to the Winston-Salem Journal, two women who were diagnosed with breast cancer at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and underwent lumpectomies and radiation. Another woman had a double mastectomy. All three women were later found to have no cancer.

Another patient, Vickie Murphy, had a spot inside her lower lip that was diagnosed as cancer. She had surgery to have the tissue removed. It was later discovered not be cancer. Now Murphy has a lot of scar tissue inside her mouth that causes her pain when she eats or brushes her teeth.

One party may be at fault for misdiagnoses

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have reviewed Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s records and identified over 9,000 pathology results that will need to be reviewed. North Caroline Health News states that the former head of the pathology department may be at fault for the misdiagnoses. That employee no longer works at Wake Forest Baptist.

A faulty diagnosis can mean medical malpractice occurred

A mistaken diagnosis is one reason people bring medical malpractice lawsuits. To prove medical malpractice, a patient must demonstrate a medical health professional did not provide the standard of care a patient usually receives for that type of issue. When a misdiagnosis occurs, the patient is being treated for a condition they do not even have. So prescribing radiation when no cancer is present would certainly not meet the standard of care for a healthy patient.

Any patient who has experienced a misdiagnosis or other medical treatment that may fall below the standard of care may consider contacting an attorney experienced in medical malpractice cases. An attorney can help you determine if your claim is valid.