Resource Library

Incidental findings of lung nodules are common and frequently missed. Many of these missed nodules are clinically irrelevant.¹ However, when a patient who is diagnosed with advanced lung cancer discovers there was an unreported incidental finding during a period when the lung cancer was treatable, a negligence claim is likely. Consider how improved communication could have affected the outcome of the following radiology case study.

Misdiagnosed breast cancer is one of the most common claims against radiologists.¹ Although much of the onus for ensuring that follow-up occurs is on the referring physician, all providers involved in the patient’s care should establish and then follow policies on communication of radiologic diagnosis and testing. Had communication roles been clear, this patient’s breast cancer could have been discovered earlier and a lawsuit could have been averted.

Every year, NORCAL companies risk management specialists receive numerous telephone calls about terminating patient relationships. This case study describes a typical scenario.

Lipodissolve (also referred to as injection lipolysis, mesotherapy, lipolysis, lipostabil and other terms) is not FDA approved. Informed consent is particularly important when using any type of cosmetic technology that is not FDA-approved or has not been generally accepted by the plastic surgery and dermatology communities and professional associations.

The composition of tattoos varies widely. Even when tattoo removal is done correctly, tattoo pigment may not respond predictably to laser treatment.¹ The type of laser to use, the power setting, the number of treatment sessions and other issues vary from patient to patient based on a variety of patient and tattoo characteristics. The following are some of the patient/tattoo characteristics that should be evaluated: Fitzpatrick skin type, tattoo ink colors, whether the tattoo was done by a professional or amateur, and the location and age of the tattoo. Ensuring realistic expectations through proper patient education and informed consent is a critical aspect of tattoo removal — one retrospective study showed that less than two percent of tattoos could be entirely cleared.²