Diagnostic devices such as the x-ray help physicians diagnose medical problems.
The human body develops various symptoms when they contract certain illnesses. However, these symptoms often indicate a broad range of possible conditions, so healthcare professionals have to rely on radiography to look inside the bodies of their patients in search of abnormalities. To avoid medical malpractice lawsuits and to ensure that they catch some diseases early, medical professionals must perform radiography techniques when they notice certain indicators.
Radiography Communication
Radiography departments must have effective communication with other areas of the hospital to ensure that other members of the department know of any abnormal results found in x-rays so that other professionals can conduct diagnostic tests so that the professionals can identify the source of these abnormalities. Poor communication can lead to the professionals forgetting some patients, which can lead to some patients going without further exploration. Follow-up screenings are crucial since many health problems are more easily resolved if the healthcare professionals catch the problems early on. Also, poor communication can lead to patients receiving the wrong tests, which can lead to wasted money and unnecessarily exposing patients to radiation. Professionals must not only interpret the results of the diagnostic screening, but must also flag the interpretation in a computer system so that other professionals are aware of the interpretation.
Abnormal Results
Flagging refers to situations under which professionals should provide certain types of screening, such as in radiography. Doctors who do not perform health screens when patients show signs of potentially dangerous health conditions can be sued for medical malpractice. However, some diagnostic screening methods such as X-rays produce radiation that can cause health problems if the healthcare professional uses these screening methods too often. Also, these diagnostic devices are often abused, since professionals can make a profit by requiring screenings that are not necessary. The red flag situations under which professionals should conduct diagnostic screenings vary from procedure to procedure and are based off the latest medical research.
Red Flag Requirements
The red flag rule requires that professionals develop identity theft mitigation programs. The red flag rule once applied to doctors, because doctors allowed patients to establish accounts that allow the patients to make multiple payments, but in 2010, president Barack Obama signed into law legislation that states that doctors do not have to abide by the red flag rule.
Patient Consent
Research published in the Journal of Chiropractic Education in 2006 reported that 60 to 100 percent of interns reported that they would perform diagnostic screenings for their patients. However, when they get into practice, many professionals run into both cost issues and concerns with patients over radiation exposure. They must understand the flagging requirements and report them to the patients.
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