Lab testing may be performed for a variety of reasons. Blood and urine tests are performed on a regular basis and used to diagnose diseases as well as for employment purposes. Any time lab tests are improperly performed, patient misdiagnosis is imminent.

Doctors must request laboratory testing on an as-needed basis, therefore every technician must be prepared to properly perform those requested tests. Laboratory technicians face exposure of liability in three principal ways: improperly performed tests, breach of confidentiality, and misleading the employer or doctor about the results.

Employers institute urine testing to detect drug use by employees and to screen job candidates. Drug tests make it difficult for users to deny taking drugs, and positive results provide strong evidence in the disciplinary process or in hiring decisions. Improperly performed tests could cause a drug user to be hired for a position in which others may be harmed, causing legal problems for the company.

Testing in Health Care Settings

Lab testing in a hospital setting must be precise to a fault. A person's bodily fluids tell doctors a great deal about what's going on inside their body. Blood tests often catch the signs of serious illnesses and allow physicians to properly perform their job. Improperly performed lab tests may lead to serious complications for the patient.

Proper safety techniques are important in any laboratory setting, but they are imperative in microbiology. Improper lab techniques may cause you or others around you to become sick. When handled properly, the organisms used in microbiology testing should not pose a risk. When handled improperly, they do what they do best...make you sick.

Accidents can happen when using chemicals and equipment, when transporting or handling specimens in labs. When proper laboratory techniques and procedures are followed the impact of such accidents is lessened. Unfortunately, mishandled specimens are often not recognized in time for the doctor and patient to know a mistake has been made.

Misdiagnosis as a result of improperly performed lab testing could carry serious consequences for the patient. Doctors and surgeons rely on the results of those tests to make informed decisions regarding treatment of diseases as well as to determine if a patient needs surgery. This type of medical mistake should be evaluated by a personal injury attorney.

Lab Testing Gone Awry

Tests are performed for a wide variety of reasons. Only a few were named in this article. Others may include paternity testing or tests to determine the health of an unborn child. Some tests may even serve as early detection for cancer, Alzheimer's, or other disorders. All tests are extremely important for their specific purpose.

Improperly performed lab testing is a form of malpractice that should be discussed with a medical malpractice lawyer. Any time you feel that you or someone you love has been a victim of medical malpractice, contact an experienced lawyer to discuss your options. Someone with experience will be able to tell you fairly quickly if you have a case and what to expect.

Never try to represent yourself in a medical malpractice case. The details and medical terminology often become confusing if you're unfamiliar with them. A Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer will work with you and for you to get the best results possible.