As a Florida hospital mistake lawyer, I am troubled by the recent news involving patients of a West Virginia hospital who were receiving overdoses of radiation when undergoing brain scans.
In November 2010 the FDA issued its findings of a safety investigation with recommendations to both doctors and hospitals. According to the New York Times, the Virginia Hospital continued to over-radiate patients and failed to report the errors.
Our Florida hospital safety attorneys recommend that any patient scheduled to undergo a CT Scan of the brain consider the following:
1. Why do you need the exam?
2. How will the exam improve my health?
3. Don’t insist on the exam if the doctor does not feel it is necessary.
4. Don’t refuse the exam if needed as the benefits generally outweigh the risks.
5. Keep a diary of the date, time and kind of CT scans you have had.
