Amilcare Gentili MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Using an Access database and RegEx is possible to extract contrast administration information from free text radiology reports to audit of documentation of contrast administration for procedures using contrast

To audit compliance with requirement of documentation of contrast administration, we have created a semiautomatic tool using Microsoft Access database and visual basics. Radiology reports are extracted from the hospital information system in XML format and imported in an Access database. Using Visual Basic and RegEx (regular expressions) reports of exams with CPT codes corresponding to eligible contrast procedures are then parsed. The contrast type, concentration and amount, if present in the report, is extracted from the report and entered in separate database fields. If no contrasd documentation is found, the exam is flagged as missing documentation. Once the reports are parsed and the contrast information is extracted, it is possible to create reports showing compliance with this measure. The report can be sorted by attending, resident, or procedure.

As most reports are dictated using voice recognition and standard templates are used, it is fairly easy to create RegEx that recognize the contrast administration information among the report text, it has been more challenging to account for reports dictated without the use of templates, but even in free text reports we were able to extract the exposure times with high accuracy or classify the report as missing documentation of contrast administration.

As most reports are dictated using voice recognition and standard templates are used, it is fairly easy to create RegEx that recognize the contrast administration information among the report text, it has been more challenging to account for reports dictated without the use of templates, but even in free text reports we were able to extract the exposure times with high accuracy or classify the report as missing documentation of contrast administration

Gentili, A, Documentation of Type, Concentration, and Amount of Contrast Is Important for Patient Care and for Billing Purposes.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9013586.html