Dear Imaging Center Insider,
Communication is the lifeblood of any organization, perhaps more so in healthcare than in many other industries. Breakdowns in the chain of medical communication can compromise patient safety. And if a patient is harmed because of a communication mistake, more likely than not, the result will be litigation.
Communication error is the second-highest cause of malpractice suits in the U.S., according to Dr. Leonard Berlin, chairman of the department of radiology at Rush North Shore Medical Center in Skokie, IL. For radiology, which interacts with the entire spectrum of clinical care, communication is of paramount importance.
Most of the time, the radiology report adequately serves this purpose. However, in certain circumstances, such as emergent or other nonroutine clinical situations, more than just documenting interpretations in the patient record may be necessary.
If you'd like to find out more about when and how radiologists should communicate their findings beyond the medical report, click here. As an AuntMinnie.com Imaging Center Insider, you have access to the article days before the rest of our members.
Finally, if you have a comment or report to share about any aspect of diagnostic imaging practice, management, administration, regulation, or financing, please contact me at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you.
