Area Hospital Misdiagnoses Patients, Provides Unnecessary Treatment

Local media has reported that Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center has incorrectly diagnosed at least dozens of patients in the Winston-Salem area of North Carolina—medical errors that were uncovered after an investigation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

News reports indicate that a single pathologist may have been to blame for misreading biopsies performed to detect cancer. This has resulted in some individuals being treated for cancers they did not have; at least one person received a delayed diagnosis of cancer.

Instances of misdiagnosis can cause severe injuries. In the event that a person receives treatment, such as surgery or chemotherapy, when they do not in fact have cancer, they are subject to unnecessary medical risks, mental anguish, and medical bills for treatment they do not truly need.

Worse still, a person suffering from cancer who received a false negative biopsy result may not get the treatment they need at an early enough time to stave off progression of the disease. Many cancers advance rapidly, and early detection saves lives.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, has published an investigative report finding that over 9,000 test results must be reviewed for accuracy.

Baptist is required to come up with a plan to prevent similar errors from occurring and to take steps to correct its failings. If the hospital cannot comply with the CMS demands it risks losing funding from Medicare and Medicaid.

Individuals who have been subject to incorrect pathology reports resulting in improper treatment or diagnosis may have claims against the hospital for any injuries caused by the misdiagnoses. Call the attorneys at Egerton Law at 1-800-800-4LAW for a free consultation or complete our web contact form if you or a loved one has suffered due to a misdiagnosis.