New York hospital failed to notify 307 women about abnormal Pap tests

New York City's Jacobi Medical Center failed to notify 307 women over the past 16 months that their Pap test results had indicated potential precancerous or cancerous conditions, the New York Daily News reports. A New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation spokeswoman says 30 of the women were considered to be at high risk for cervical cancer. The problem dates to December 2003, when the hospital centralized its notification procedure for Pap tests, hospital officials say. One clerical worker was put in charge of notifying by telephone or by mail all women whose Pap tests had inconclusive or abnormal results and scheduling follow-up appointments. Acting HHS president Alan Aviles called the failure to inform the women of their test results "completely intolerable" and said city health officials were investigating the matter. Jacobi executive director Joe Orlando, the hospital's director of gynecological services, the nursing director of women's health services, and the clerk whose duty it was to notify women who have abnormal Pap test results all have been suspended without pay while the investigation is being conducted. All but one of the 307 women were recently notified of their abnormal test results, according to hospital officials.