Missouri Medical Malpractice and Radiology Errors

When you undergo an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan, a radiologist is responsible for making interpretations.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if a radiologist made an erroneous interpretation? Missouri medical malpractice lawyers answer that the consequences can be serious and even fatal. Many cases of misinterpretations are reported every year. Radiologists may also miss some details which hamper the detection of life-threatening conditions.

Delayed Diagnosis Results in Delayed Treatment

A radiologist’s medical malpractice can lead to delayed diagnosis which could further delay the correct treatment. It is therefore wise that you seek the opinion of two or more physicians. You can have them look at the same scan interpreted by your radiologist to have a wide and informed range of views. Some doctors, though qualified to interpret scans, still rely on reports from radiologists and that may result in poor judgement.

Reasons for Radiology Medical Malpractice

The National Institute of Health suggests that radiology is a field that is the most exposed to claims of negligence. Most of the cases pertain to radiologists’ negligence in interpreting radiology scans. In a report published in 2012, the National Institute of Health indicates that poor readings result from poor techniques, lack of experience, failures of perception, as well as a lack of knowledge. Failure to diagnose tops the list with at least 40-54% of all radiology-related negligence.

Common Areas of Radiology Medical Malpractice

Radiologists may miss spotting fractures or cancer diagnosis. Fractures of the cervical spine, the femur, and the navicular bone (a bone in the foot) are the most commonly missed fractures. As for cancer, radiologists may miss spotting bone tumors, breast lesions on mammograms, chest radiographs, lung nodules, and colorectal carcinoma.

It is also worth noting that radiologists face problems when they perform a “wet read” of scans. Due to the fact that x-ray technicians perform scans and send them to radiologists in other locations for interpretation, errors can hardly be avoided. This can happen because the images sent may be of sub-standard quality and resolution. The results are later relayed over the phone or email, which is not as efficient as first-hand information.

In case you or any of your loved ones has been injured due to such malpractices as those listed above, consult with Zevan and Davidson Law Firm at (314) 588-7200. We will help you understand your legal rights.

Photo credit: Michael Roper via Flickr