Enhancing patient safety and delineating professional liability in radiological procedures involving contrast medium administration

Abstract: Radiological procedures requiring the administration of contrast medium are considered invasive procedures and require obtaining written consent from the patient. The risks of the procedure must be weighed against the risks of a potential missed diagnosis. Understanding the clinical question of the exam is crucial. For evaluating the risks to which the patient is exposed, both in contrast procedures and in the case of magnetic field use, a thorough analysis of the patient's medical history is equally important. The radiologists' liability is intertwined with that of the prescribing physician. However, in the absence of a prescription, demonstrating that correct action was taken may be challenging. Therefore, our opinion is therefore that it is advisable to encourage both the radiologist and the prescribing physician to sign a form that includes the examination indication on one side and the execution technique of the radiological investigations on the other, especially when contrast medium injection is involved.