Document Detail


When is the practice of pathology malpractice?
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20924091     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Process    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Because of its complex nature, surgical pathology diagnosis has an appreciable degree of fallibility and is increasingly subject to legal scrutiny. In litigation, the first practical step is to explain why and how this adversity could happen, and the second is the question of apportionment of responsibility and its legal consequences. As pathologists, we have to provide a methodology of investigation allowing a clear distinction between reasonable and unacceptable pathology practice without the twist of hindsight. For that we need to examine the different steps from test ordering to the final report. The most critical aspect of the enquiry is the act of diagnosis itself. What can reasonably be expected and what precautions have normally to be taken? Experts are often requested to re-examine the slides. For that we need a well-devised protocol enabling blinded review. Tort law has two important interconnected goals: compensation for damages and prevention of the same slip ever being made again. We can only properly learn from our mistakes if we carry out an unbiased investigation. Poor normative judgement of diagnostic failures will backfire on the profession.
Authors:
Raimond W M Giard
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2010-10-05
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of clinical pathology     Volume:  63     ISSN:  1472-4146     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Clin. Pathol.     Publication Date:  2010 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-10-25     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0376601     Medline TA:  J Clin Pathol     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  957-61     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Pathology, Maasstad Ziekenhuis, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. rwm.giard@xs4all.nl
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