One of, if not the most important aspect of medicine is making the correct diagnosis. Not only does a diagnosis need to be accurate, but it also needs to be timely. A failure to diagnose or delayed diagnosis can cause patients more suffering and may end up putting their lives in danger.
With advancing medical technology, it’s common for much of the diagnostic process to be carried out by using scans such as x-rays and MRIs. These tools are extremely useful, but they are only helpful when their results have been interpreted correctly.
The sad reality is that things can and do go wrong during diagnostic scans. Outlined below are some of the more common errors made during diagnostic radiology.
A breakdown in communication
Usually, patients are treated by medical teams rather than one person. An individual may have to go through several departments before reaching the medical team that they need. During this stage, communication is vital.
Nurses have to pass on notes to physicians and radiologists must accurately hand over the results of their diagnostic tests. Unfortunately, breakdowns in communication do happen and the consequences of this can be a misdiagnosis, which means the patient does not receive the treatment that they require.
Complacency
Medical staff are highly trained and have often held their position for several years. They’ve seen a lot and sometimes think they have seen it all. The truth is that while conditions do have similarities, every individual is unique and may react in different ways. Medical tests such as x-rays must be looked at with a fresh pair of eyes and no stone should be left unturned. When complacency begins to creep into the diagnostic process, errors are very likely to happen.
Your medical team owes you a duty of care. If you have suffered because of negligence in a hospital or other facility then you may be entitled to malpractice compensation. Seek some legal guidance to find out more about your options.