Inaccurate Blood Tests

Blood tests are one of the fastest and easiest ways to start to figure out what may or may not be ailing an individual. Unlike spinal taps and other more advanced tests, a blood test requires a sample that is relatively easy to acquire.

While it is relatively easy to collect blood for a blood test, there is the chance that something can go wrong. The individual collecting the blood may or may not be able to find a vein in a person’s arm on the first shot. This can lead to having to try the other arm which can result in two sore arms, depending on the skill of the individual collecting. Another problem with blood samples is that they can result in harm to the veins in the arm. If the vein is nicked by the needle, it may result in a lot of unsightly and painful bruising.

Once the blood is collected, it may or may not be tested properly. There are far too many things that can go wrong in blood tests to enumerate them here. The point is that it is not hard for something to go wrong in the testing procedure that can lead to inaccurate results of a blood test.

A final thing that can go wrong with a blood test involves the patient’s own behavior. Before a blood test, many doctors will require that the patient fast for however many hours beforehand. This is very important for some tests that measure the fasting levels of items in the blood. If the patient doesn’t fast, the test will be inaccurate which could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis.

Contact a Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If your doctor has missed a diagnosis because he or she has misinterpreted test results, contact the Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 610-667-7511.