Diagnostic imaging provides images of internal tissues and organs to aid health professionals to identify the cause of symptoms and inform subsequent health care decisions. Yet, its use may contribute to failures in the diagnostic process that result in patient harm and wasted health care resources.

It is estimated that 140,000 diagnostic errors occur each year within the Australian health care system. Despite the large number of diagnostic imaging services utilised, Australian data on the incidence and consequences of diagnostic errors related to medical imaging is lacking, hampering any effort to improve the quality of diagnostic imaging services. The Government should consider contemporary analysis of medical indemnity data to develop initiatives that focus on reducing diagnostic errors and their associated health and financial burden.

Diagnostic errors related to medical imaging can occur due to communication failures between radiologist and referring clinician, referral for imaging when not clinically indicated, or image interpretation errors. This Issues Brief identifies and discusses various health policies that have been implemented internationally to improve the use of diagnostic imaging and reduce the consequences of diagnostic errors.

The implementation and effectiveness of these interventions are examined in the context of past and current Australian health policy related to diagnostic imaging. With the increasing use of diagnostic imaging, a national strategy is needed to address the consequences of diagnostic error to patient safety. Investment to reduce diagnostic errors will improve the quality of care, reduce serious harm, and improve the sustainability of the sector through reduction in medical indemnity claims and the number of unnecessary imaging referrals.