1:4 worrying results not revealed to patients

[Guest guest]

Amazing

- they say that it could be lethal, yet I would contend that the

variability of test results is far more likely to be lethal when they read

false positive, as it exposes patients to toxic and useless "therapies". False negatives can lead to a false sense of security too!

My dr proved that the tests for just about anything are only as good as the interpretative skills of the lab tech! We did 3 samples for one disease [alternatively untreated and treated] and should just have tossed a coin! Before treatment the 2 different results said he had the disease and he did not have the disease. After treatment the results said he had the disease.The dr's actually KNOW that test results are often useless. Even allopathic dr's have told me this! MaraFrom WDDTYOne in four worrying test results not revealed to patients

 

24 June 2009

 

 

We’re always being told that we should

have regular screening tests as they’re an effective way to catch

cancer and other diseases, especially in their early stages – but,

astonishingly, there’s a good chance the doctor won’t do anything with

the results if they do indicate a problem.

Up to one in

four abnormal test results are never discussed with the patient, and

are ignored by doctors, a new study has discovered. “Failure to report

abnormal tests results can lead to serious, even lethal consequences

for the patient,†says Dr Lawrence Casalino, from Weill Cornell Medical

College, who carried out the research.

Dr Casalino and

his team analysed 5,434 patient records from 23 practices across the

US, and discovered that a large percentage of abnormal screening

results were never acted on. The average was one in 14 abnormal

results, but the rate rose to one in four at some practices.

(Source: Archives of Internal Medicine, 2009; 169: 1123-9)..