As Radiologists work tirelessly to interpret images at an increasingly productive rate, there naturally exists an increased risk for errors, misdiagnosis, and lack of follow-up attention. These adverse events can lead to both unnecessary procedures and the absence of required procedures, resulting in malpractice suits. Here’s a brief on the current environment and what you can do to support your team as you deliver comprehensive patient care.
Pressures of Productivity
Radiologists are now interpreting an ever-increasing volume of images. As these volumes increase, error rates increase as well. A recent study on body CT scans showed that when daily cases rose above 20, error rates rose significantly. Radiology has a documented error rate of 4.4 percent across all modalities, and up to 9.2 percent in certain sub-specialties.
Communication Challenges
Miscommunication is a key factor in existing malpractice claims for individual radiologists and hospitals. This factor is compounded as hospitals and outpatient centers need to outsource their diagnostic readings to after-hours services or sub-specialty groups.
High Malpractice Claims
Radiology has one of the highest rates of malpractice claims, with up to 30 percent of radiologists facing malpractice lawsuits over the course of a career. 48 percent of malpractice claims were in inpatient settings, 43 percent in outpatient settings (most likely due to diagnostic issues,) and 9 percent in both.
What does this mean?
- Radiologists face high demands for speed while managing pressures of quality expectations
- Errors and missed follow-ups can lead to revenue loss and patients not receiving the care they need
- Hospitals and practices face the burden of high malpractice claim costs in Radiology
Questions to consider
Has your institution or practice faced the burden of a malpractice claim?
Have you performed an audit to determine if misdiagnoses are the cause of unnecessary medical procedures and insurance payouts?
Is your supporting care team stretched thin and working overtime?
How Inflo Health can help
Inflo Health has built AI-driven tools that better manage follow-up flows and processes, helping to prevent revenue leakage and ensuring that your patients get the follow-up care they need. If you’re interested in learning more about our initiatives, please reach out to us below.