UM Shore Medical Center Testing and Diagnostic Error Attorney

About three quarters of healthcare decisions made by U.S. doctors are based on medical laboratory tests.  When a lab workers makes a mistake, the doctor who ordered the test receives incorrect medical information about his or her patient.  As a result, the patient receives treatment which is ineffective at best, and outright harmful at worst.  If the lab error involves a failure to diagnose, the patient does not receive any treatment atall, losing vital opportunities to get medical care while diagnosis is delayed.

If you received a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis from University of Maryland Shore Medical Centers or other laboratories located in Maryland, the attorneys of Whitney, LLP are prepared to provide aggressive legal representation on your behalf.  Our knowledgeable legal team brings years of experience to every laboratory malpractice claim we handle, and our combination of skill, perseverance, and dedication to our clients has enabled us to achieve favorable results in numerous cases throughout the state of Maryland.

Don’t worry if you aren’t sure where to get started, or don’t know if you have a case.  Call our law offices any time at (410) 583-8000, and we will answer all of your questions in a free and private legal consultation.

Diagnostic Tests Provided by the UM Shore Medical Center

The University of Maryland Shore Medical Center has locations in Chestertown, Easton, and Cambridge (Dorchester) at the following addresses:

• UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown
  100 Brown Street
  Chestertown, MD 21620

 

• UM Shore Medical Center at Dorchester
  300 Byrn Street
  Cambridge, MD 21613

 

• UM Shore Medical Center at Easton
  219 South Washington Street
  Easton, MD 21601

Diagnostic tests provided by Shore Medical Center laboratories include:

• Cardiac Diagnostic Tests – Used to help diagnose cardiovascular disease, such as:
  • Carotid artery disease
  • Congenital heart defects (e.g. atrial septal defects, narrowed valves)
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Peripheral artery disease

 

• Endoscopy – Used to help diagnose conditions affecting the digestive system, such as:
  • Acid reflux/GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
  • Celiac disease
  • Colorectal cancer (colon cancer)
  • Gastritis
  • Stomach ulcers

 

• Pulmonary Diagnostic Tests – Used to help diagnose lung conditions, such as:
  • Asthma
  • Bronchitis
  • COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
  • Emphysema
  • Lung cancer
  • Pleural effusion

Were You a Victim of These Common Laboratory Errors?

No matter how accurate or simple a given lab test might be, human factors like inattention and lack of experience can still cause preventable diagnostic errors to occur at any stage of the lab testing process, which is divided into three stages:

1. Pre-Analytical Phase – This phase covers every step that precedes the actual testing of samples, including the organization, transportation, and storage of samples and specimens.  Research has shown that the bulk of all laboratory errors – perhaps as many as 70% – take place during this phase of the process.  Some common examples of lab errors during the pre-analytical phase include:
   • Keeping samples stored in the wrong conditions, such as extreme heat.
   • Keeping samples stored in the wrong containers, which can leak or admit contaminants.
   • Losing or misplacing a sample.  Time is of the essence when it comes to medical treatment, and delays caused by careless organization take away the patient’s chance to get prompt diagnosis and care.

 

1. Analytical Phase – This phase covers the actual testing of samples and specimens.  Mistakes during this part of the process include:
   • Failing to properly clean and sterilize equipment, which can skew test results.
   • Performing the right test on the wrong sample, or the wrong test on the right sample.

 

1. Post-Analytical Phase – This phase covers all the steps which follow after a test is completed, like interpreting the results and sharing them with the ordering physician.  Errors during this phase might involve:
   • Incorrectly interpreting and/or recording the results of a test.
   • Notifying a physician about the wrong person’s test results.

When these or other mistakes are made, the patient can suffer one or more of the following outcomes:

• Misdiagnosis – A misdiagnosis is an inaccurate diagnosis.  Misdiagnoses cause two sets of problems for the victim: not only does the false diagnosis distract from thereal medical issue, the victim also receives pointless treatments for thediagnosedissue, which can actually turn out to be harmful.  For instance, the patient might be put on a medication which causes serious side effects, such as seizures or organ failure.

• False Positive/Negative – When a person who should test negative actually tests positive, the result is called a false positive.  When a person who should test positive actually tests negative, the result is called a false negative.  False positives and negatives can occur due to poor test accuracy, the misinterpretation of a test, or underlying conditions the patient already has.  Positive and negative test results should generally be confirmed with follow-up testing to reduce the risk of patient harm.

• Delayed or Missed Diagnosis – The longer a diagnosis is delayed, the worse the patient’s condition becomes.  This makes treatment increasingly difficult, and, sadly, can shorten the patient’s expected lifespan.

If University of Maryland Shore Medical Center employees lost or made a mistake on your lab test, you may be entitled to compensation to help with the resulting medical bills and other hardships.  Call the diagnostic error attorneys of Whitney, LLP at (410) 583-8000 today to set up a free and confidential consultation. Or, send a Quick Contact form and an attorney will contact you.