Medical Malpractice

[ami2much4u]

The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) released new guidelines for physicians, to come forward to the patient if their medical care has been compromised.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/s ... da&s_name=

this was after 108 women given flawed breast cancer tests have died:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/s ... hub=Canada

Is a small "error", enough to seek another doctor? Does this mean that second opinions are always best?

An incident happened the other day, my son was misdiagnosed with pigmentation and ordered to undergo a battery of tests. I thought that was odd, but didn't say anything to the doctor, not wanting to devalue his highly respected position.

As I left his office, and sat in my car, I turned to my son and said "that's dirt, wipe it off, you'll see". "Yah, mom your right". Back we go to another doctor to get a second opinion and to confirm that he did not have what the first doctor suspected he had. Now this was something minor, and the doctor could have done his own test with a little water, but for some reason overlooked this.

This same doctor is treating another son of mine for a serious condition.

It makes me wonder if I should change doctors, or this was an "oversight."

At what point does one draw the line? If a doctor makes a mistake about a minor thing, could he also make other mistakes? Or is one mistake, no matter how small, one mistake too many?

These guidelines are not binding, but I think it's about time that mandatory policies should be considered for all health care professionals. Canadian Citizens deserve nothing less.

[Triple 6]

An oversight? I guess I have to ask first, what made you go to the Dr first? Because of skin discoloration?

[dandynick5]

How long did it take to get the doctor's appointment? I'm assuming the dirt was on his face for that long. Why didn't you try the water test yourself? Especially since as you say, he wiped it off in the car.
Sounds like something in an episode of House from a few weeks back. Mother brings her son in, he's got a rash, no fever, no bites, House wipes the marks off with a damp cloth.

[ami2much4u]

My son is a "husky" guy and we were seeing the doctor because we want him to lose about 20 lbs. I made my son shower before the appt. (I guess he missed a spot). I never noticed it until the doctor pointed it out as my son was wearing a pullover. He took me off guard and I was a little shocked, but thought it was dirt when he showed it to me. I was a little embarrassed to doubt him and did not take a thorough look until we were out of his office. That was when I told him it's possibly dirt and to rub it off. We went to another walk in clinic, (because the first dr. had other appts) he went in the washroom, washed his arm with soap and water and it came off. I wanted to get a confirmation that it wasn't pigmentation. How could this be overlooked by a highly recognized professional? Do I just chalk this up to "boys will be boys" or seriously consider why he was misdiagnosed?

[Yellow Sprinkles]

Was he diagnosed, or was he sent for tests?

I agree with whoever said it before - sounds like an episode of House that aired not too long ago!

[ami2much4u]

Was he diagnosed, or was he sent for tests?

I agree with whoever said it before - sounds like an episode of House that aired not too long ago!

Yah, it could be looked at in a funny light, just because no harm was done, except wasted our afternoon!

He said he has "pigmentation" and sometimes that happens to people that are extra weight and said that he wants him to go for tests.

When I showed the 2nd doctor the tests he was to get done, he laughed and said that those are not the tests that he would have ordered for pigmentation and that perhaps the 1st doctor just said that as an excuse to get tests done (?). That doesn't make much sense.

Besides the above, while I was in the waiting room my younger son was jumping around in the play area, rolled out and landed on the tip of a ladies shoe and he had a red bump on his cheekbone. I asked the secretary for an ice-pack and she refused saying that was only used for treatment. Okay (?)

[BriTer]

How old is your son?

[ami2much4u]

pre-teen

[Mama]

An 11yr old boy with dirt on him....IMAGINE!! LOL!

Maybe the other Doc is right, maybe he was looking for a way to take other tests, perhaps without offending or worrying you until he knew something.

[ami2much4u]

It just doesn't sound right, that's all, would you trust this doctor?

[Mama]

It just doesn't sound right, that's all, would you trust this doctor?

Depends on how well I know him before that.
And remember, you are the kids mother, who sees him everyday and YOU made the mistake for a min or two, maybe he suffered from the same thing you did. You didnt dispute the fact in the office because he is the "Doctor" He didnt think it could be dirt, because you are the "Mother" and if the kid smells all nice and clean from the shower, how is the Doc going to know that its dirt.
You assumed he would know the difference, and He assumed you would have a clean kid.
I would just call it "Humans in an office" until you know more. Malpractice is a VERY strong word.

[peteykat]

Last month I received a call from my previous doctor. A pathologist is now being under review for his performance on the job. All biopsies from 1998 - 2007 are being retested. I am one of up to 30, 000 cases being reviewed.

It is really scary how this one man, whom we all trusted to do his job has now put fear into the back of eveyones heads. How many people had cancer treated when they may not of had it, or died because the earliest detection wasn't detected.

Not once will I ever blame my previous doctor. She was an amazing. However, I will (and do have a little right now) have great ill will for the pathologist. Especially if results come back with a scary amount of errors.

[Piecemaker]

Another way to look at it is that the first doctor noticed the discolouration...and he made the assumption that your son was clean...
The tests he ordered could have related to him checking out possible thyroid, diabetes and other physiological reasons for your son's higher than average weight and may not have been for the pigmentation specifically. Also, before treating your son, the physician may have wanted to get an overview of your son's health status by having him tested.
Guess you won't know until you ask.
I understand that physicians can seem intimidating--however they do not know everything.
I know that hindsight is 20/20, but one way to have handled a situation like that when you thought it was dirt would have been to interject a little humour. You could have said something like, "Hey Johnny is a great kid, but he's not that fond of soap...let me look at that!" Then like mothers everywhere have always done, you could have licked your finger and given the "pigmentation" a brisk rub!
If you and your children are going to have good medical care, you have to be able to answer the questions the doctor asks, understand what tests and treatment are being done and why, and be able to ask the physician questions if you ever feel uncertain about what he/she is telling you. If you can not develop that kind of relationship with this physican, then you need to find another one.
There are many wonderful doctors in Kelowna, but there are a few that may not relate well to children or inquiring parents.

[Triple 6]

Peteykat- Fingers crossed that all turns out well!

[ami2much4u]

It was because of this doctor's previous attitude and brush off of my previous questions, that I didn't bother to ask. This doctor is not approachable and gives the attitude like "I know what I am doing" with no details. As well, I think he misdiagnosed my other son's serious illness. So this was like the second time, I wasn't impressed. If I switch doctor's now, it might be detrimental to the one with the serious illness, for various reasons, and may delay his recovery. May I remind you that this is a highly respected physician, and yes, it is intimidating. It leaves me skeptical, am I doing the right thing, continuing to see this doctor, or am I overreacting. I always believe red flags are for reasons.
Where does one draw the line?