Teleradiology Mistakes Can Kill You!
Posted by
Dan FrithMay 02, 2008 9:59 AMTeleradiology, what is it? It is the electronic transmission of radiological patient images, such as x-rays, CT's and MRI's, from one location to another for the purposes of interpretation and/or consultation....and almost all hospitals today are using these services. Hospitals like to use teleradiology services because it provides around the clock professional services, often at lower cost than having a fully-staffed radiology department on site.
How can it kill you? When the radiologist who is sitting in China, or India, or just hundreds miles away in another state makes a mistake in reading and interpreting the diagnostic studies emailed to them via the Internet.
My firm just settled a case involving just such a sad situation....and the patient died. The teleradiology company involved in the case is one of the largest such companies in the world, NightHawk Radiology Services. Our local hospital, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, contracted with NightHawk to provide radiologic services. The patient arrived at the hospital with a history of a thoracic aneurysm and complaining of back and flank pain. The attending Emergency Room doctor was aware of the possibility that the aneurysm could be the cause of the patient's symptoms and was also aware that a ruptured thoracic aneurysm meant certain death. So he correctly ordered a thoracic/abdominal CT scan to verify the status of the aneurysm.
No radiologist was available at the hospital so the CT films were sent, basically as an attachment to an email, to NightHawk Radiology Services. NightHawk then forwarded the CT films, again via the Internet, to a radiologist sitting at his home in Louisiana for interpretation. Unfortunately, the radiologist mis-read the CT films and determined there had been no change in the aneurysm and reported his findings back to the Emergency Room doctor, who gave the patient pain medication and sent him home. The CT film actually showed the aneurysm had gotten larger and was leaking, or bleeding. The patient was found dead by a family member 5 days later. The cause of death - ruptured thoracic aneurysm!
I am all in favor of technology but when I go to my local hospital I like to know who is caring for me. Is it a local physician with a known reputation as a competent and caring healthcare provider? Or is it like Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz" and someone we don't know is pulling all of the levers behind the curtain?
Just something to think about.