See something, say something: the coroner's perspective

Area of Science:

• Medical Radiation Practice
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• Untimely deaths occurred due to delayed communication of critical imaging findings.
• Medical radiation practitioners (MRPs) have an obligation to report urgent findings.
• Existing practices highlighted the need for a formal policy on safe communication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize coronial inquests involving MRPs.
• To analyze the "Communicating Safely" policy in light of these inquests.
• To provide recommendations for implementing the policy in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Review of three coronial inquests.
• Analysis of the "Communicating Safely" policy (2019).
• Discussion of policy's reflection of coronial findings.

Main Results:

• Coronial inquests revealed critical communication failures.
• The "Communicating Safely" policy directly addresses these failures.
• The policy aims to prevent adverse patient outcomes through timely reporting.

Conclusions:

• The "Communicating Safely" policy is crucial for patient safety.
• Effective implementation requires adherence to professional obligations.
• Recommendations are provided to ensure policy enactment in clinical settings.