David S. Hirschorn MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

June Koshy MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jonathan Scheiner, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Integrated eRadPeer is the best method of using RadPeer for peer review because it reduces the process to 3 clicks, and allows instant notification of significant discrepancies.

Our institution has used the RadPeer program from the American College of Radiology for peer review for the past 5 years.  The program requires the radiologist to fill out a card based form with a code assigned to each doctor, as well as the modality and the score.  The cards must then be delivered to the office which mails them to the ACR.  Participation suffered when there was an insufficient supply of cards, or the doctor code list was missing, or the cards never made it to the office. It was also time consuming.

The ACR has a web based version called eRadPeer.  However, it requires a login which is unlikely to remain valid for more than one submission, and still requires lookup of doctor codes.  The ACR indicated that RadPeer data can be submitted electronically, provided the institution has a means of collecting it this way.  We use a web-based RIS driven worklist, and with the aid of desktop macro scripting software, we were able to integrate the eRadPeer scoring questions into our worklist. The worklist automatically presents the report of the most recent relevant prior exam, like PACS.  All the radiologist needs to do is to click on the RadPeer button, pick a score and click OK.  The system is already aware of who the reviewer is, who the reviewee is and the modality of the case.

This method requires no paper cards, no doctor lists and no separate logon.  It is fully streamlined with radiologist workflow, and it was no surprise that the number of daily entries skyrocketed after its implementation.  It has been live for 3 months, and we will present an analysis of not only how the number of entries increased, but how the types of scores, modalities and percentage of total staff participating changed after implementation. All scores indicating significant discrepancy are emailed instantly to the vice-chairman, who can assure a corrective measure is taken quickly if necessary.  This is a step beyond the ACR program.  We will also measure the timeliness of review of such cases.

Hirschorn, D, Koshy, J, Scheiner, J, The Impact of Transitioning from Card-based Radpeer to Integrated E-Radpeer.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9009460.html