Common Reasons for Radiology

Malpractice and How to Address Them

Radiology peer review is an important process that can help identify errors and
other shortcomings of radiologists.

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Medical errors and negligence lead to patient harm and consequent medical
malpractice claims. The failure to make a timely and accurate diagnosis that is
vital for opportune treatment is one reason for medical error. Mostly, this
diagnosis will have to be made based on information received from the radiology
department that is responsible for interpreting diagnostic tests such as x-rays, MRIs
and CT scans. Studies have shown that communication failures and errors in
interpretation of the imaging studies are two of the main reasons for radiology
related malpractice claims. Such errors and other shortcomings of radiologists are
revealed in a radiology peer review performed by a qualified and experienced
peer physician.

Radiology may not be the first or primary step in the diagnostic process, but when
there is a wrong interpretation or failure to communicate, it can lead to delayed
or inaccurate diagnosis and inappropriate medical treatment. Now, let us consider
some statistics available with regard to radiology medical malpractice. A study
published in Diagnosis collected data from more than 1,300 medical malpractice
claims wherein radiology was the primary service provider. This data was taken
from a national database of around 400,000 claims. Almost 60% of these claims
were related to an allegation of diagnostic failure and 48% of these claims included
a misinterpretation that delayed patient care. A delay can considerably reduce a
patient’s chances for optimal recovery.

Failure to diagnose being the main reason why radiologists get sued, this error in
making the correct diagnosis results from missing the abnormality on the image or
the failure to perceive. The misinterpretation is more of a cognitive error, experts
point out. To avoid misinterpretation, radiologists need to keep up with the latest
developments in radiology, new findings and so on. regarding failure to
communicate, this can be avoided by passing on the correct information to the
referring physician and ensure that they understand what you have said.
Documenting the conversation including all that was discussed and when it
happened is essential. Many courts expect radiologists to follow up with the
referring physicians to confirm whether they have followed up with patients
discussed in earlier conversations.

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How can radiology-related errors and consequent malpractice litigation be
minimized?

Researches in this regard point out two solutions – peer reviews, and continued
education and more oversight. Radiology practices should ideally adopt established
peer review and audit procedures to identify trends and also help recognize
opportunities to support education of radiologists in case any unfavorable lack of
consistency is identified. With continued education and practice improvement via
peer review and audit systems, the diagnostic process can be enhanced. This in
turn will help ensure the right timely treatment for patients and patient
satisfaction. Radiology peer review provides the following advantages:

• Helps ensure competence

• Identifies opportunities for quality improvement
• Is not retaliatory
• Helps improve individual outcomes
• Unprejudiced, consistent process
• Helps identify trends
• The opinions of both reviewers and the radiologists being reviewed are
recorded
• Enables easy participation and has minimal effect on workflow

Though radiology may not be the largest clinical service contributing to

malpractice lawsuits associated with a diagnostic-related allegation, understanding
how radiology events contribute to diagnostic failures is important. This will help
draw up a plan, to mitigate risk to both providers and patients, in radiological care
and thereby supporting all efforts made to improve diagnostic medicine.

As providers of medical records services to medical and legal entities, we

understand the increasingly important role of radiology in the clinical management
of patients and thereby in the overall patient care spectrum. Both radiologists and
referring physicians will benefit from being aware of the major medical-legal
issues and concepts in the field of radiology. With that kind of understanding, they
will work to improve the care of the patient and reduce the risk of errors and
other concerns related to medical malpractice lawsuits.

www.mosmedicalrecordreview.com 918-221-7791