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Biochemist ignored Drs blood test order

Posted By maymp85

"Biochemist ignored Drs blood test order"

About: PathWest Broome Hospital Collection Centre PathWest Derby Collection Centre PathWest Perth Collection Centre

(as the patient),

My GP ordered a test about 18 months ago, taken in Broome, but the Biochemist (in Perth I believe) threw my blood away because, as I understand it, they deemed that my very educated GP doesn't know what they are talking about. I also believe the Biochemist doesn't know why the Dr has ordered the blood test, doesn't investigate at all and just throws my blood away.

When I went into Derby Pathwest, I asked if these tests were still on the Database and the phlebotomist confirmed they were still on the Database. So, I emailed Pathwest again when the blood test was required 18 months later and as the test is on their database, I assumed they would send it. Having been let down by Pathwest before, I checked with the head office in Perth and was told that the Biochemist still wouldn’t agree to send the blood taken to the appropriate lab in Sydney. I believe the Biochemical again decided that they don't like the test.

I know the blood is tested in a Sydney hospital and I am very willing to pay their fee to collect and send my blood to NSW. Apparently, lots of tests are conducted at labs all over Australia.

So, now I have a 500km round trip to have my blood collected at a lab that does not override the Doctor's orders. That means time off work and as it's a fasting test, it is a logistical nightmare.

I wasn’t aware that the Biochemist at Pathwest outranked a Dr. What is the point of having a GP that I feel is progressive and embracing new science if the Biochemist has, I believe, the final say without ever bothering to talk to the Doctor or the patient? The Biochemist has no idea how my health has improved with the treatment I am receiving as a result of my clever GP and in my opinion, obviously is not at all interested in advancing medical practices in Australia. 

Based on this experience, I am absolutely disgusted with Pathwest and I don't know who to make a formal complaint to. 

I have always been very happy to pay the fee to have the blood taken and be sent to the appropriate Labs to be tested, and the phlebotomist in Derby assured me that bloods are regularly sent to other Labs for testing, so I am not sure why this was ignored in my case.

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Responses

Response from Miles Beaman, Chief Pathologist, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA 2 years ago
Miles Beaman
Chief Pathologist,
PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA

Submitted on 17/09/2021 at 2:24 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 2:25 PM

Dear maymp85,

Thank you for reaching out to us via Care Opinion and I am sorry that your experience with PathWest didn’t meet your expectations.

Unfortunately, the test your GP requested is not approved by Medicare and is only performed at an eastern states hospital within a clinical trial setting.

As there are no approved clinical guidelines for the monitoring your GP requested, the PathWest pathologist assessed that referral of the specimen was not appropriate (as it wouldn’t be processed at the receiving laboratory).

Our pathologist offered to talk to your GP about the referral to explain their decision but this was declined. If you change your mind, Pathwest would be pleased to assist.

Once again I would like to thank you for contacting us and sharing your experience. Please call me on (08) 6152 9147 if you would like to discuss this further.

Kind regards,

Dr Miles Beaman

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Update posted by maymp85 (the patient)

Thank you for your reply Dr Beaman,

I am fully aware that the tests are not performed in WA Labs and need to be sent to Sydney and I was very happy to pay for this to be done. I believe it is not uncommon for blood samples to be sent all over Australia for testing.

As I understand it, your Competitor is able and willing to send the blood sample to the Lab in Sydney to have it tested and they have never questioned the authority of the Doctor ordering the test.

I believe your Competitor didn't need to talk to my Doctor to justify why they had ordered the test and to offer an alternative. It seemed to me that they seem to be of the opinion that my Doctor knows what they are doing.

Based on my experience, Pathwest has shown a lack of compassion and service which is very disappointing:

- To discard the first blood sample several months ago and not to notify me that you would not do the test with I believe no communication to me or my Doctor and then,

- Giving me no choice but to drive in excess of 450km to have a fasting test done is another disappointing aspect of this case.

I will keep hoping that Pathwest Biochemists do not decide they know more about my medical condition than my very experience Doctor and every 6 months I will check to see if these tests are on your database to ensure I can drive 4km to have my blood taken rather than having to take a day off work and having to drive 450km.

Thank you

Response from Miles Beaman, Chief Pathologist, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA 2 years ago
Miles Beaman
Chief Pathologist,
PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA

Submitted on 21/09/2021 at 5:32 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 22/09/2021 at 8:58 AM

Dear maymp85,

Thanks for having a conversation with me and I am glad we have resolved the issue.

Dr Miles Beaman

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