There are literally hundreds of kinds of diagnostic tests. Our healthcare providers may order tests on our blood, urine, cervical cells (PAP smears), FOBTs (fecal occult blood tests) and various tissues, etc. Most of the test results are generated by laboratories in hospitals, or in independent labs outside of the hospital such as Quest, LabCorp, etc. Healthcare providers then rely upon the results reported by those labs to properly treat patients.

Other tests such as X-rays, MRIs, CT Scans, ultrasounds and biopsies may be performed in or outside of the hospital, with the results of those tests interpreted by doctors specializing in the reading of the study (e.g., radiologist, pathologist, etc.). Certain tests, such as a colonoscopies, are interpreted at the time of their performance by the doctor who is doing the test.

All diagnostic tests, are designed to assist our healthcare providers in diagnosing our conditions, or to monitor our health to determine treatment options. Tests are also often performed in the hopes that any significant abnormality may be timely brought to light, when it may have a better chance of responding to treatment, and hopefully, before it causes any additional health concerns.

Medical negligence surrounding diagnostic testing includes but is not limited to:

	improperly performed tests resulting in injury
	contraindicated tests resulting in injury
	failure to perform or timely perform necessary testing and/or interpretation
	misinterpretation of test results (e.g., blood work, urine cultures, etc.)
	misinterpretation of imaging tests (e.g., mammograms, chest x-rays, MRIs, etc.)
	miscommunication between labs and ordering healthcare providers
	failures in follow-ups for test results

Blume Goldfaden attorneys and medical staff have the experience and expertise to determine if the performance and/or interpretation of a diagnostic test was incorrect or deviated from accepted standards, and if it resulted in an injury for which damages may be recovered. Call us for an evaluation at no cost to you.