[Objective re-evaluation procedures in cases of possible diagnostic error].
Auxiliary diagnostic specialists such as clinical pathologists or radiodiagnosticians may be held liable by injured patients for erroneous diagnoses. Nearly always there will be a reconstruction of the situation in which the alleged misstake was made, and relevant facts will be tested against both professional and legal rules. The Court or one of the parties involved frequently ask an expert for re-evaluation of microscopic preparations, X-rays, etc. This objectivating evaluation requires a procedure that does justice to the original diagnostic situation and therefore should not be made by one single expert familiar with the chain of events. The results of the re-evaluation should be interpreted meticulously and their relative importance established by the Court.
Giard
R W
RW
Medisch Centrum Rijnmond-Zuid, locatie Clara, afd. Klinische Pathologie, Rotterdam. giard@bart.nl
Broekman
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000379:methods; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007883:Legislation, Medical; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice; D009426:Netherlands; D010336:Pathology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*