Analysis of lawsuits related to diagnostic errors from point-of-care ultrasound in internal medicine, paediatrics, family medicine and critical care in the USA.
Reaume M, Farishta M, Costello JA, et al. Analysis of lawsuits related to diagnostic errors from point-of-care ultrasound in internal medicine, paediatrics, family medicine and critical care in the USA. Postgrad Med J. 2020;97(1143):55-58. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-137832.
Point-of-care ultrasounds (POCUS) are considered a powerful tool to enhance patient safety through expedited diagnosis, but also present safety threats. There is a concern that POCUS use may contribute to diagnostic error lawsuits. The authors reviewed lawsuits involving the diagnostic use of POCUS in internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, and critical care and did not find any cases of physicians in these specialties being subject to adverse legal action for the diagnostic use of POCUS.