Teleradiology Medical Liability Linked to Higher Claims Payouts

April 16, 2024

ISMIE’s risk tips for radiology available

The use of teleradiology has grown in popularity since the pandemic, largely due to staffing challenges across the specialty of radiology. However, a new study from Harvard Medical School finds higher liability payouts and patient deaths in cases using teleradiology rather than traditional radiology.

Problems with communication due to radiologists working remotely are twice the rate of traditional radiology with an on-site healthcare team (26% vs 13%).

Further, teleradiology healthcare professionals are more likely to close with an indemnity payment (59% vs. 41%) and have higher payouts than non-teleradiology cases ($339,000 vs. $214,000).

The study was conducted by analyzing the national database of medical professional liability cases that closed between 2010 – 2022.

Given the importance of the role of the radiologist in healthcare and the amount of coordination and communication required, it’s essential to be aware of the key strategies to reduce risk at each step of the process. ISMIE offers risk tips for radiologists for policyholders who perform diagnostic or interventional radiology.

We also offer a radiology resource that you can access at any time.

ISMIE continues to make radiology patient safety a priority and will continue to develop resources and strategies to improve patient outcomes and radiology safety.