Newfoundland Injury Law Blog

Newfoundland Injury Law Blog
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Class Action Lawsuits

2/3/2010
Chesley F. Crosbie, Q.C.
Comments (11)

Eastern Health Mixes Up Test Results Again

One of our breast cancer members told me about a very bad turn she had yesterday.   I'll call her Grace, not her real name, to protect her identity.

Grace got a call yesterday from a nurse telling her that the cancer doctor wanted to see her when she comes to the hospital for her appointment on Monday.  Grace said I don't have an appointment Monday, and the nurse said yes you do, you have to start radiation on your brain. 

Grace almost dropped dead - she saw Dr. McCarthy last Thursday and was told that her bone scan came back fine but that her kidneys were failing and she had to be taken off all cancer drugs but there was no cancer to worry about.  She had a panic attack and blacked out for a few seconds.  She then said to the nurse you must be wrong and told her what Dr. McCarthy had said to her previously.  The nurse said oh my I'm sorry, she had mixed up the results and should have called someone else.

Grace is a very sick woman and this only added to her stress about all this.  She wanted me to know about this terrible incident, and I am sharing this with other class members.

When Eastern Health stops mixing up individual results I'll feel a lot more confident that they have the big systemic issues fixed.  If I were Premier Williams, I'd check my chart before heading off for heart surgery ... it could be someone else's result.



Labels: accident careless injury malpractice negligence
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11 Comments to "Eastern Health Mixes Up Test Results Again"

hi i am in total shock to hear that my mother has been through so much with this battle with cancer, for the sake that some one wrongly dignoised her, 15 children were told she was cancer free after a battle with brest cancer, and as a mistake on the eastern healths behalf, the other day she was called to have a test done on her head (gracy), dr mcgrawth deals with my mom and god willing she knows whats going on around her, only for this we dont know, i think the nurse who called my mother should be dealth with, accordingly, my mom had taken a panic attack, as she was being told this , i think personally speeking 4 all her children shes 72, been fighting cancer 12 yrs, enough is enough, nurses should not assume who they should know,, we are so hurt, outa all this fine pawn all them with money,, i got no mother,,,,is that fair cause some-one had not have checked too see if they have the right patient!!!! a human error. i am totally discussed with ourhealth care systen and oboviously never learnt any thing from this inquirey, what is it gona take, i have no faith no more,, take ur money give me and my family back, my mom (gracey ) cancer free we suffer from your mistakes,,, tks, love ya mom,xoxoxox
Posted by Miss Mercer on February 6, 2010 at 08:12 PM
her we are again with another mix up , i am totally disgusted with our health care, my sister has terminal cancer and thanks god every day when she wakes to know she is here another day,but now to hear there is another mistake made by the hospital im sure shes doing alot of thinking about thisi dont know what else to say , but someone has to get this on track it is rediculious..
Posted by sheila tippett on February 5, 2010 at 03:39 AM
3 months after my father died E.H called to remind him of an appointment...this was further torment for our family.
Posted by withheld on February 4, 2010 at 08:20 PM
Marlene:
I did have the option of going to the States for treatment. The year I was diagnosed, 2000, they were short on radiologists here so they sent some of us to the Cleveland Clinic for radiation. It turned out to be the best choice for me, both financially and healthwise. So it's not that, it's the apathetic attitude that's the problem - the money is not coming out of their pockets....
Posted by Marie Hickey on February 4, 2010 at 07:23 AM
As a very thankful breast cancer surviour I would like to say that I will never again gain my full trust in the health care system that has wronged us badly. This recent repeat of carelessness has only further weakened my trust.
It is utterly ridiculous and shameful to say the least, how Eastern Health is still making careless and very serious mistakes when dealing with cancer patients. Has Eastern Health learned anything yet from the Cameron Inquiry?
Whoever was responsible for this recent phone call to this patient and gave the wrong information should be reported to the Administration of Eastern Health and punished seriously. They should be made to realize that such mistakes will not be tolerated at any degree. This is enough, this carelessness has to stop before some person is seriously hurt again.

VERY CONCERNED
Posted by Lorraine Hudson on February 3, 2010 at 11:28 PM
well it is in my opinion that us cancer patients mean no more to the eastern health then anyone else cause i am now being test for return of cancer in my other breast but even though iam a cancer survivor i still have to wait about 2 months to get my test done so has any of the stuff in the courts done anything i don`t think so. in other parts of this province they consider what you`ve been through and you get yor testing alot quicker here your doctor can put urgent on your papers and it means nothing


Posted by unknown on February 3, 2010 at 09:37 PM
Maybe these patients should of had the option of going to the United States for treatment just like your premier Mr. Danny Williams. I guess you have to be high up in the ranks to get special treatment. God Bless them all.
Posted by marlene on February 3, 2010 at 03:21 PM
What is it going to take??? I really expected after reaching the settlement especially the non-monetary part of it that we could start to get our confidence in Eastern Health back. I just don't know what else to say, once again I am floored.
Posted by Maureen on February 3, 2010 at 03:20 PM
It's hard to believe they are still at it.You would think now they would be double checking names and phone numbers on reports.
Posted by Mary Chaffey on February 3, 2010 at 02:54 PM
Im in total shock but not surprised, How are we supposed to trust the Health Care System I have to deal with the Health Care System on a monthly basic due to other illnesses,and how am I supposed to trust all these tests and results. Also I want to tell Grace that I will pray for her and her family and I wish her good health and much happiness
Posted by Bonnie Butler on February 3, 2010 at 02:53 PM
Oh my God! That is terrible! Whoever made that phone call should be hauled over the red carpet for that mistake! I can't believe it - I thought this settlement would help in making them more conscientious and careful - it doesn't look that it's having any effect. Let's hope the committee will keep on top of things although it's not their responsibility to ensure things like this don't happen. I'm shocked - that poor woman. Maybe the judge from yesterday will decide they haven't paid enough. I don't blame Danny Williams for going elsewhere.
Posted by Marie Hickey on February 3, 2010 at 02:51 PM

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