Selen Bozkurt Bulbul MS, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Yi Hong MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Curtis P. Langlotz MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Advisory Board, Reed Elsevier Advisory Board, General Electric Company

Charles Edward Kahn MD, MS, Abstract Co-Author: Stockholder, Hotlight Inc Officer, Hotlight Inc

The reporting template library is designed to support the widespread use of best-practices reporting templates.  This exhibit presents the library's design considerations, database structure, reporting template metadata, and end-user interface. 

To promote the quality of clinical radiology reports, the RSNA has undertaken an effort to create a library of "best practices" reporting templates.  These templates will provide a framework to allow reported information to be interpreted consistently across organizations and to be aggregated and reused for quality improvement, clinical research, and education. The RSNA plans to serve as a coordinating body to archive, index, and disseminate these templates.  This presentation describes the structure of a digital library of reporting templates.

A digital library of radiology reporting templates is being created as a relational database, initially designed using MySQL.  Each report template has associated metadata, which include information about the template's author(s) and sponsoring organization(s).  Templates are indexed using RSNA content codes and the RadLex radiology lexicon.  The design allows templates to be indexed using terms from other lexicons, such as SNOMED-CT, ICD, and CPT. Reporting templates can be linked to any relevant publications.  Information about each template also includes the release date and version number.  Because different reporting templates might be contributed for the same examination, the digital library includes provisions to record how many times a template is downloaded and how users rate the value of each template. 

The library of radiology report templates incorporates features that allow radiologists to identify reporting templates that meet their needs.  Templates are indexed by body region (e.g., thorax), organ system (e.g., respiratory system), imaging modality (e.g., CT), and clinical question (e.g., pulmonary embolism).  Such indexing helps radiologists identify clinically relevant reporting templates.  Users can determine if a template has been vetted or developed by a national or international organization.

Bulbul, S, Hong, Y, Langlotz, C, Kahn, C, Design and Implementation of a Library of Radiology Reporting Templates.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8003621.html