Medical Malpractice: Radiology
There are a number of areas in the medical field whereby mistakes and errors can be made. Some may result in little to no consequences while others may result in severe consequences or fatalities. This article will discuss some errors that rise to medical malpractice in respect of radiology.
One dictionary [Radiology Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com] defines radiology as a “branch of medicine devoted to the study of images obtained by x-ray, ultrasound, cat scans or magnetic resonance imaging.” Another definition [Radiology Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster] says it is “a branch of medicine concerned with the use of radiant energy or radioactive material in the diagnosis and treatment of disease”. Either way radiology plays an important part in the field of medicine as it can be used to diagnose as well as treat diseases. However, it is when actively using this process to either diagnose or treat diseases that medical errors can be made. If you have suffered injury as a result of undergoing radiology speak to medical malpractice attorneys in Anchorage Alaska.
A radiologist is defined as “a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disease and injury, using medical imaging techniques”. In addition, they play a key role when it comes to your health care as they are expert consultants for your referring doctor and even provide recommendations in respect of appropriate examinations and treatments where necessary. In as much as a patient generally does not interact with the radiologist, an important role is played by the radiologist as they are responsible for the accurate reading of diagnostic films. However, in undertaking their duties it is possible for a radiologist to be negligent and put the life of a patient at risk. Some of the negligent errors, that are preventable, that can be carried out by a radiologist include the following:
- Failure to order proper diagnostic tests
- Misreading diagnostic documentation
- Misreading CT and/or MRI scans
- Incorrect interpretation of films
- Failure in the proper use of equipment
- Missing or overlooking test image abnormalities
- Failure to adhere to required hospital procedures
- Failure in respect of communicating results to referring doctor in accordance with standard hospital procedures
One of the prime forms of medical malpractice that is across the medical arena is failure to diagnose, and errors that are as a result of radiology can directly contribute to a medical doctor’s failure to diagnose a disease. Further, such radiology errors of negligence may result in a patient failing to receive much needed medical care in time.
Radiology errors rise to the level of medical malpractice when the radiologist fails to adhere to the standards of care as well as standards of procedure required in the medical industry in respect of reading diagnostic films produced from CT scans, MRI scans and x-rays. It is a requirement that every radiologist act in a reasonable and prudent manner befitting a healthcare practitioner in similar circumstances. As such, a radiologist is required to pay attention, examine images and read them correctly so as to deliver the correct assessment leading to the proper treatment of a patient.
If you are unsure whether or not you have grounds for medical malpractice against the radiologist, seek out legal advice from a medical malpractice attorney.
