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Hospital officials say the discovery involved a backlog of almost 4,000 echocardiograms.

Some dated back as far as three years.

Officials say the tests were stored on a computer, but later forgotten.

Cardiologists at Harlem Hospital, who are employed and supervised by Columbia University's medical school, had been relying on lab technicians to flag reports they considered to be abnormal. In the process, they never got around to looking at thousands of others.

Medical officials say it's a big deal because the test measures how well a patient's heart is functioning. They also say doctors are supposed to be the ones to evaluate the tests.

In a statement, the president of the city Health and Hospitals Corporation said, "The failure to read echocardiograms in a timely manner is inexcusable and may have placed patients at risk. As our
team of cardiologists continues to review every pending echocardiogram, we will take immediate action to locate any patient that may be in need of follow-up care."

Columbia called the situation "inexplicable."

As of Tuesday, more than 1,500 of the echocardiograms had been reviewed. None of those patients was found to be in need of follow-up care.

The clinical director of the hospital's department of medicine has since been been fired, and the medical director demoted.

The hospital has set up a 24-hour hotline for patients who are concerned.

Those interested in learning more are encouraged to call 311.