Lab involved in double-mastectomy error changes its policy
Ambulatory Safety Monitor, January 28, 2003
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A pathology services company has changed its administrative policies to prevent further errors after a Wisconsin woman mistakenly received a double mastectomy, according to the Associated Press on January 22.
Hospital Pathology Associates, which provides pathology services to hospitals in Wisconsin and Minnesota, will no longer include tissue samples from multiple patients in lab work folders, according to HPA representatives. Paper work and tissue samples will be color coded. Also, two pathologists will be required to sign off on a diagnosis after the patient's name and identification number have been cross-checked on sample slides and paperwork.
HPA handled the lab work for the Wisconsin woman, who was improperly diagnosed with breast cancer when her biopsy tissue was switched with another woman's. She elected to have a double mastectomy, and was told two days later that she did not have cancer.
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