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Avoid Common Medical Mistakes At Doctor's Office

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Nov 3, 2009 6:56 pm US/Mountain

Avoid Common Medical Mistakes At Doctor's Office

Reporting
Dr. Dave Hnida
DENVER (CBS4) ― About one in five primary care doctors are over-testing women when it comes to pap smears. The guidelines for the cancer screening test were updated more than 5 years ago.

Those guidelines recommend the first test at age 21 or 3 years after becoming sexually active and continuing every year until the age of 30.

After 30 the frequency can drop to every 2 to 3 years after three normal tests.

It's not just pap smears where doctors aren't following guidelines.

"Your medical record should have a separate page that lists the tests," said CBS4 Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida. "A big blank spot is a warning sign a test needs to be done so an advanced condition isn't found when it is finally happens."

Another problem comes when a test is done but the result is never passed along to the patient.

"For example, the office never called the patient who tested positive for diabetes and that patient lands in the hospital 6 months later in a diabetic coma," Hnida said.

Hnida recommends patients not only take charge of test results but also to compile their own medical records. That can be especially important when patients change doctors.

Another mistake is ignoring a problem or not getting a second opinion. This is especially important when it relates to things like breast lumps or skin changes.

Finally, patients need to make sure their doctor knows every medication they are taking. That includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements and herbs.

(© MMIX CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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