Unnecessary Medical Tests and Procedures

When a person goes to the doctor complaining of certain symptoms or for a routine check-up that turns up a bizarre symptom, that person may be subjected to a barrage of medical tests to determine the cause and effects of the symptoms. Many times, the tests are not only inconclusive but were never likely to provide conclusive information.

Americans, not surprisingly, spend more money on unnecessary tests and procedures than the majority of other countries. The amount spent on tests that are both unnecessary and costly is astronomical. One estimate places the number at around $700 million annually.

Medical tests and procedures that are unnecessary are ordered for a number of reasons. One reason that does not rest completely with the doctor is that patients read about new technologies and tests and practically demand that doctors use them. Here, the fault lies with the doctor in not refusing to perform the test, even when he or she may know that it is completely unnecessary and wasteful.

Another reason for the excess in the field of tests and procedures is that doctors claim that they need to perform as many tests as possible to ensure that they will not be sued later, or at least not found negligent. This argument holds some water, since serious conditions could be missed if the tests are not performed. However, it is different when a patient complains of specific symptoms that can be tied to a couple of ailments. If a full spectrum of tests is ordered, the patient can be asked to incur significant expenses and time and even potentially pain and suffering because the doctor is concerned about a lawsuit.

Contact a Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you have been forced to submit to a barrage of unnecessary, costly, and painful tests to no avail, contact the Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., at 610-667-7511.