Maryland Radiologist Errors Lawyer
Many people get CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, and other types of tests performed to check for abnormalities within the human body. These tests can detect cancer, broken bones, abdominal issues, head trauma, and other medical conditions.
However, these tests are not foolproof. Even if your doctor says you have no issues, they may not be telling you the truth. Radiology errors are common in the medical field, with the error rate as high as 20%. These errors, or discrepancies, occur when there is a difference between a report and a retrospective review of a study.
Diagnostic errors are complex issues that come with serious consequences. They can prevent proper patient management, as a delayed diagnosis could worsen a patient’s health and even lead to death.
Have you discovered a radiology error that has negatively impacted your health? If so, see how the Maryland Radiologist errors lawyer at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman can help you with your case.
Common Types of Errors
Radiology errors encompass the following:
- Perceptual errors. These are the most common errors, accounting for as many as 80% of radiology areas. What this means is that the abnormality is not properly identified. This could be due to a failed search or incomplete clinical history. Location could also be a factor.
- Image acquisition errors. These are often caused by technical or physical limitations of the equipment. For example, it may be an incomplete study that does not include all the required areas. Other factors include staff shortages and inexperienced staff.
- Cognitive/interpretative errors. These occur when an abnormality is present but its meaning is not correctly understood, resulting in an incorrect diagnosis. This can happen due to false positive tests, lack of knowledge, faulty reasoning, complications, and failure to consult prior reports.
- Communication errors. These errors occur when the radiologist fails to effectively communicate the results to doctors. Communication should include important findings, recommendations, and any possible errors in the report.
Reasons for Errors
There are several main reasons why these errors occur:
- Limitations in imaging technique (such as incomplete protocols)
- Lesion located outside of the region of interest
- Failure to search beyond the first abnormality
- Failure to recognize a normal variant
- Failure to consult prior reports
- Inaccurate history
Radiologists can prevent these errors in a number of ways, such as using standardized protocols, using appropriate equipment settings, and researching any unfamiliar findings. In addition, the working environment should be optimized to avoid excessive workload, fatigue, distractions, and interruptions.
Contact Us Today
Radiology can help diagnose medical conditions and injuries but only if interpreted correctly. Any mistakes can result in incorrect diagnoses, which can lead to a worsened condition or fatality.
This type of medical negligence can be detrimental to a person’s health. If you have been affected, see how the personal injury lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman can help you file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Get started on your case today by calling 410-998-3600.
