Trust recalls 1,500 patients over potential misdiagnosis

Hundreds of patients are being contacted over potentially incorrect results at a second NHS trust, as more laboratories report concerns over diabetes tests, HSJ understands. 

Bedfordshire Hospitals Foundation Trust was the first to report an issue over blood tests earlier this year, saying up to 11,000 patients may have received the wrong results – including a misdiagnosis of diabetes. 

But the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has confirmed to HSJ that other laboratories across the country have reported concerns over the same device, which measure glucose control. 

The Hb1AC blood test is used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes, as well as manage existing conditions. 

One affected trust is Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells FT, which said around 1,500 patients had been identified for a retest following a technical issue affecting results in July.

A spokesman said the problem was escalated to the supplier as soon as possible, and that affected patients would be contacted by GPs. 

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Source: HSJ, 27 November 2024