Risk Management and Medico-Legal Issues in Breast Cancer.
Breast cancer is a leading source of malpractice claims for radiologists and gynecologists. Delay in or failure to diagnosis was the second most common cause for allegations of malpractice and failure to diagnosis breast cancer accounted for the majority of these claims. The amount paid in indemnity for such claims was only second to claims paid for neurologically impaired newborns. Issues involved in documentation and communication are reviewed with a focus on specific medical legal cases. Obstetrician gynecologists must remain cognizant of the potential for liability.
*Clinical Professor Emeritus Emory University, Decatur †Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
Charles J
CJ
Ward
Victoria L
VL
Green
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003142:Communication; D004282:Documentation; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011871:Radiology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012308:Risk Management / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*