An Incredible story

[Lulu54]

This is one I just have to share - everytime we get irritated with giving our personal information including our date of birth over and over, there is a very good reason why............  This is from my co-worker.....  best, Lulu


My story begins with my mom (Frances "Ruth" H.) getting a routine physical in late Feb and a spot about this 0 big was discovered on her lung, a P.E.T,  Scan was ordered.  The results were the spot is cancer but it looks like it could also already be in her lymph nodes so a biopsy was ordered.  After the biopsy the Doctor said the lymph nodes "looked good" to him but of course we would have to wait on the lab test.  

So imagine our shock a week later when he called Mom and said the cancer has spread to her lymph nodes; surgery is not an option and because of her age (84) and the state of her health she is not a candidate for chemo.  He was however referring her to ontology for small pill that would perhaps slow it down and give her a year or maybe two.

Yesterday we went back to see the surgeon to get the biopsy site checked and it was discovered that he had given my mom the wrong lab report. As incredible as the coincidence seems this doctor has TWO  Frances H. patients (a Frances Ruth H.  and Frances R. H. ) who had lab results he was waiting on at the same time.  

The bottom line is Mom does not have terminal cancer, she has a spot of cancer that will be treated with a radiation method called cyber-knife that takes three treatments (three days in a row) with the only side effect being that she will be very tired.   Fortunately for us the good news came last, while I feel for and will pray for the other Frances Hughes, I am thankful to God that this mistake has been discovered and the neither Frances is being given the wrong treatment.

[twopack]

I was hospitalized for wisdom teeth extraction at the age of 18.  A nurse let me know there was a patient there with the same name scheduled for a hysterectomy the same day.  (This was long before HIPAA privacy regulations!)

I went into the OR repeating, "It's my teeth.  It's my teeth."

I was so relieved to wake up and see teeth in the specimen cup on my bedside table.  (Another practice you won't see today.  All pieces and parts go to the lab these days.)

Your story is remarkable Lulu in how many details had to come together perfectly in time and place.  How hard it must be to know your joy comes in exchange for another's sorrow.

Mary

[Karen99]

Oh my goodness.  Scary stuff.

My dear long time friend was very worried about her two year-old granddaughter.  She  was having repeated urinary and kidney infections.  One thing led to another and an MRI of her brain was done.  They were told she needed to see a kidney specialist.  Once the MRI report came in, they were told she needed to see a neurologist too.  

My friend was beside herself.   I asked her to email the MRI report to me.  OMG!  It was the most awful report I've ever read.  Multiple huge lesions, significant brain atrophy, huge infarctions, etc.   I was devastated and giving much thought on where to take this child.   Her mother and grandmother had no idea that this MRI was this bad.  How and what was I going to tell them?  We decided upon a Children"s Hospital with every specialist in the book on staff. Appointments and travel arrangements were made.  

A two -year-old with a brain in this kind of shape??????  Hmmmm.   It didn't make sense.  This child was walking, talking and developing normally.  Verify the name and age....Good grief!  The name was different and the age was that of a 96 year-old.

The receptionist gave them the wrong MRI report with instructions to see a neurologist. The baby's MRI is fine.  She saw the kidney specialist and all is well.

[Guitar_grrrl]

National Patient Safety Goals over the last few years have included ascertaining patient ID with two indentifiers: both hospitals I work in use Full Name, and date of birth.  Since Joint Commission comes in unannounced at any time, we've all gotten used to asking every time, and our patients, however annoyed, have gotten used to it too.

Sorry this happened to your co-worker's Mom!  How awful!

[Nancy T]

Quite a coincidence that they both had lab reports waiting at the same time, but you'd be amazed how MANY people have the same names, even unusual ones. I work in a library, and you really have to check those birthdates when looking up people without their library cards. The opportunities for confusion and mistakes are numerous! (But the consequences of mistakes not quite so horrifying as in the case you describe.)

[johnniebear]

Miss I.D.  is  awful-  

I have two son's in the Military,  my oldest son serving in the Military had the same first name, middle int and of course the same last name of different soldier that gave his life in Iraq in late 2009 defending our Nation.

Since it was published in the paper , on TV-we received many calls-from friends and strangers,  when we explained who gave their life,  we requested that they pray for the family of   the
other SGT Blake W. (XXXX)  from our same State.


johnniebear