I most recently had a dangerous experience due purely to incompetence. I came with my surgeon's order for spinal x-rays-- specifically a full spine x-ray, (aiming from your back to front) and a lateral x-ray (a picture taken from the side) of my ENTIRE spinal column. Instead, I had multiple x-rays taken of my lumbar and thoracic spine separately, and in an orientation that was the OPPOSITE of what was ordered. A complete miss.
The technician/staff did not read my surgeon's order correctly. Therefore, images had to be RETAKEN, in the correct orientation. So, what should have been 2-3 x-rays, had turned into 7. I was exposed to more radiation than necessary. I didn't appreciate this, but nonetheless, I moved on.
When I got home to look at the imagines before sending them to Mayo Clinic, I discovered that the images were inadequate and did not contain the FULL spinal column. Now we really have a problem! The x-ray order specifically indicated "FULL SPINE", meaning....... that's right, the full spinal column, from neck (cervical) to tailbone (sacrum), contained in ONE picture, from the back and from the side.
These kinds of x-rays are ordered and taken all the time by spinal surgeons and even chiropractors. Instead, my lumbar and thoracic spine images were taken separately. Again, this is NOT what was ordered, and completely useless to my (deformity) neurosurgeon.
After talking with Dr. Lin, the chief radiologist and owner of OPI, about this situation, I'm sorry to say that I am still left troubled. I was told "full spine x-rays" cannot be taken b/c of "artifact" that would occur. Oh, please stop. That is a "low-hanging fruit" explanation that is a complete excuse. Basically, I was attempted to be given a "soft medical explanation", for why full spinal x-rays were not taken, simply because they messed up and wanted to "save-face". This is a full-on lie, and a cover-up, for really what is negligence and medical malpractice. FULL spinal column x-rays are taken ALL THE TIME, particularly as ordered by "deformity surgeons" for assessing scoliosis patients, on coronal and sagittal balance, and other measurements. I was told by Dr. Lin that "the usual scoliosis series x-rays" was conducted. That is NOT what was ordered by my neurosurgeon. How many times must I say it? Dr. Lin offered no apology, and instead, resorting to a "radiological lecture", with the purpose of coming across as the authority on my health matter, which really was just a narcissistic attempt to cover up a medical mistake. He was hoping I would just "take him at his word", and make the problem go away. Now, to his credit (I guess?), he did offer for me to come back and have my neck x-rayed. But, for what? Some consolation prize for a gross mistake that was made? He didn't see (more like admit) to anything wrong with what happened the first time around. Nor, would taking him up on the offer correct the problem! Bullocks, I say! If you cannot perform the procedure as ordered, you ought to inform your patients beforehand and refer them out. If you make a mistake, you should admit to it and do the right thing and fix it if possible. This is commonly known as "best practice". His attitude was dishonorable, unethical, and a reflection of some of the worst of parent-care.
The bottom-line summary here is that the x-ray orders were not followed, which resulted in me having TWICE the amount of x-ray radiation, AND, still not ending up with what my neurosurgeon requires (and orders all the time, by the way).
This is a cautionary tale, and thankfully not a devastating experience physically (despite excessive radiation). Though, it certainly does indicate the kind of medical (mal)practice here, and the attitude of Dr. Lin. An upfront apology would have sufficed. Really. But, the discovery of compounding mistakes and the denial of wrongdoing really makes me angry (as you can tell). Quite unfortunate. read more