Clinical Risk > Volume 14, Number 6 > Pp. 211-214

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Elliott, T. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

Patient safety

Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms: some legal implications

Tracey Elliott

Email: t.a.elliott{at}qmul.ac.uk

This article explores some of the main legal implications of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) scanning and treatment, particularly in relation to the interpretation of AAA scans, the provision of patients with adequate information about their options and the risks involved, and issues in relation to monitoring, re-scanning and re-calling the patient for further assessment and treatment. It is suggested that the introduction of national AAA scanning programme is likely to lead to an increase in litigation claims in this field, and that, given the complex nature of the risk–benefit assessment in relation to AAA treatment, particular care needs to be taken to ensure that patients are properly informed about their condition and its treatment, if Chester v Afshar-type claims are to be avoided.

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?