Backwards MRI/ I need advice

In 2006 I found out that I had breast cancer times two.   I had a partial masectemony followed with radiation....  Since then I have had several scares and had to have biopsies done... Thank God they all came back ok.

I had two different MRIs done and when the first one came back my whole report was backwards... I called and told them and I was told that it was a typo.   I had to have another MRI in Jan of this year, and it came back, backwards.... I called and told them that it was also backwards and that I thought the doctor was reading them backwards.....  Well, I was told that yes, in fact he was, the machine had been put together backwards ....  Well, Damn,   I raised some hell over this.  They also found a new tumor with the last MRI, but I was not sure what breast that it was in since everything was backwards.  

I called the doctor and told them that I wanted everything sent to a different imaging center .  When I went to them they only did an ultra sound, and said they could not find any new tumors...  All of the reports sent to them from the original center were still backwards and I think that they were very nervous about even getting involved in this mess....

 I need some advice on what I should do.   The first doctor sent me a letter and told me that he was very concerned for my health and I needed to go somewhere else and have someone read the MRIs or new ones done.  What should I do????

 Lorraine

The FIRST thing I would do is consult a lawyer.  The facility that did the backwards MRI's should be held accountable for getting you the correct MRI results.  That should include public relations with other drs/facilities.  You should not be required to be trying to get other practitioners to help you out - the facility/staff at fault should be taking care of all of that for you.

Keep pushing on this issue, especially with help of legal counsel.  Be very, very firm when dealing with the original facility.  While it may not be their fault the machine was put together wrong, it IS their responsibility to ensure the accuracy of their diagnostic testing.  This situation if not caught could have (but hopefully WON'T have) drastic consequences for you.  Be matter of fact when dealing with other facilities/technicians/drs, but when dealing with the people who made the mistakes, be very, very firm - let them know that the situation had NOT been corrected to your satisfaction and to the degree of certainty that you need it to be, and that you will stand upon your rights to be given the proper services that you and/or your insurance co have paid for.  

It would also be prudent to talk with the lawyer about exactly what your communications with the insurance co should be in this matter.  If the original  facility that was at fault is trying to get this all billed again to your insurance, that could be why the other facility only did an ultrasound.  Any more diagnostics that you need to have done to get this straightened out should be billed to neither you nor the insurance company, but to the facility at fault. 

Whether you confer with a family lawyer or an injury attorney is up to you - but I seriously would consider a consult with an injury attorney - many of those law offices give first consultations for free.

Sincerely,

Tre

I did get a letter from the doctor that did the MRI and he said that he would be willing to pay my out of pocket expenses....  But did not mention any of the new charges from the other facility that did the ultra sounds...

I have a appointment this week with my regular doctor and I am going to find out where I should go from here with the new nodule.... I want to get it taken care of and then go after the original doctors...

I talked to my nephew who is a lawyer and he told me what to ask for...  He does not deal with these kinds of cases but was a great help in helping me wrtite a letter to the hospital that did the orginal MRIs... It is far from over...  I missed lots of work, drove many miles (180 miles round trip) and lost lots of sleep with worrying... 

I cannot believe that a medical facility can be this negilent...  I have been sick with worry....  Thank you for taking the time to answer and for your advice....

Lorraine