Around 11,000 people are being contacted by the NHS as they may have been given the wrong results for a blood test.
Some could even have started medication they don’t need or have been told to start a Soup and Shake diet after getting incorrect results, it emerged.
The patients had HbA1c tests, which is a test to identify and monitor diabetes measuring average blood sugar levels over a period of months.
But an ‘intermittent issue’ with the machine that analysed the samples meant that some people could have been incorrectly diagnosed as diabetic.
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said the problem relates to certain dates in April and July this year.
In a statement on its website, the trust warned the issue ‘may have resulted in some patients receiving HbA1c results that were potentially higher than actual’.
In advise to patients prescribed medication after potentially wrong information, they advised: ‘Do not stop, but the sooner you can have the repeat test done, the easier it is for us to decide if the decision to put you on medication etc, was necessary or not.’
For those told to start on a low calorie liquid diet, they advised: ‘As this programme involves a significant amount of intervention on your diet/lifestyle, I suggest we repeat your test ASAP and discuss with your doctor/nurse if you still require/are eligible for the programme.’
The problem is related only to tests analysed on machines at the laboratory in Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, and impacts only HbA1c blood tests.
The trust confirmed it is contacting about 11,000 people across Luton, south Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire whose results may have been affected.
All patients are being invited for retests as a precaution and people were asked to wait to be contacted rather than phone directly about it.
The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test measures the amount of blood sugar (glucose) attached to hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells which carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
People with diabetes tend to have higher HbA1c levels than non-diabetics.
Results from the test can show how well diabetes is being managed, or diagnose it for the first time.
The statement on the blood tests issue added: ‘You may receive a call from the hospital in the coming weeks asking you to come and have another blood sample taken for re-testing.
HbA1c is your average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the last two to three months.
If you have diabetes, an ideal HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol (6.5%) or below.
People with diabetes should have the test every two to three months to monitor their condition.
Source: Diabetes.org.uk
‘Please be assured that we will contact you if your result might have been affected. We are asking residents to please avoid calling the hospital or your GP to ask whether you need to be re-tested because we need to focus our effort on arranging the retests with those patients who need them.
‘Please do not attend for a HbA1c retest if you have not been directly contacted by the hospital either by phone or letter.
‘If you have received a letter, please ensure you have the blood request form provided with you. If you attend and do not need a test, you will be turned away.’
The trust also offered an apology to patients on its website, saying: ‘We sincerely apologise for any emotional distress and inconvenience that has been caused by this issue.
‘We are undertaking a detailed review to find out what went wrong and identify any learning.’
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