Best Way to Obtain Biopsy Results from Emergency Department

harthagan on 20/12/2020 - 13:32
Last edited 20/12/2020 - 14:04 by 1 other user

So long story short I went to the ED of my nearest public hospital and had a procedure done which involved a biopsy being taken.

Nothing was explained to me after my procedure, I waited for hours to speak to the actual doctor but eventually a woman who I'm not sure if she was even a doctor just handed me the paperwork and discharged me and said that I would be contacted by someone at a later stage.

In the paperwork I was given upon my discharge it said that I would be contacted regarding the biopsy results and regarding another procedure that has to be done. But no contact name or number was provided for me to get in touch with anyone.

So far it's been a week and I have still not been contacted. I've tried calling the hospital and no one can tell me anything.

Is this the standard for the public health system? When can I expect to hear anything back, if at all. Is there anyway I can try to expedite things?

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • Hithere on 20/12/2020 - 13:41
    +2

    They should have sent a copy of the biopsy report to your GP/Medical Centre.

    I'd wait for a couple of weeks and make an appointment to see your GP and talk to them about it.

  • amaslam on 20/12/2020 - 13:44
    +2

    Go to your GP. They can get all reports from the hospital and the GP can provide a copy to you.

    Your discharge papers almost always say the same thing (see your GP within a few days or a week). If you can call your GP office ahead of time they might be able to obtain it and have it ready when you come for the GP visit.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/12/2020 - 13:50
    +1

    Seconding all previous comments - go see your GP. Even if you don't have a regular GP, they will be able to request/access this information on your behalf, although it will probably take a few days.

  • harthagan on 20/12/2020 - 13:52

    Thanks guys, will make an appointment.

    • Clear on 21/12/2020 - 00:14
      +1

      You could even make a call and ask if the result from "hospital" has been received. Many medical centres will tell you over the phone, have it flagged for you to see a GP or will follow up if it hasn't been received.

      • harthagan on 21/12/2020 - 09:11

        Thanks called up and found out the results are back, made an appointment with GP

        • Clear on 21/12/2020 - 09:13

          That's good to hear. I work with the software hospitals use to send results to GPs and short delays are not uncommon ;)

  • holdenmg on 20/12/2020 - 14:14
    +1

    Sadly a week is nothing in Public Hospital time.

    You might be wait listed for another procedure depending on the results of the Biopsy, but they
    wouldn't have even posted that yet.

    Week(s) go by before appointments or tests are scheduled, letters are then sent, and then you wait…

    Sometimes months…

    Maybe next year sometime?

    Your GP might access results and expedite things…

  • pao2x on 20/12/2020 - 14:52
    +1

    Go to your LISTED GP. They will forward results there. Also 1 week is not enough time for histopathology and auspost and your gp to all get the flow on from the results, call your gp office to check if they have the letter from the hospital or pathology centre.

  • SydStrand on 20/12/2020 - 15:30

    I waited for hours to speak to the actual doctor but eventually a woman who I'm not sure if she was even a doctor just handed me the paperwork and discharged me and said that I would be contacted by someone at a later stage.

    Why is that so important? Even a doctor isn't going to magically diagnose you without the pathologist's report, and if it was a histopath sample, it will often take longer than a week. You will have to see your nominated GP for the result. That's not the ED's job.

  • elgrande on 20/12/2020 - 16:06
    +1
    1. Call NSW Health Pathology, ask them to fax biopsy results to your GP
    2. See GP
  • ShannonN on 20/12/2020 - 20:20
    +1

    Did they say we'll call you IF the biopsy comes back positive for xxx otherwise if you don't hear from us all is well? I have had that said to me after a really black mole was removed and sent for tests?

    Do you have the government health database thing active, where your dr etc is supposed to post all the results so you and other medical pros can view the history etc?

    I hope you are ok and there is no nasties in the sample
    Blessings and Merry Christmas

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