Ramin Javan MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jason Roth MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

James Long MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hamta Jafari MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Richard Duszak MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

 Adequate quantitative data regarding radiologist communication times seems to be lacking. This is usually in the form of phone-calls or through physician or technician visit to the reading room. Also while emphasis has been placed on time it takes the radiologist to convey critical results, at times the temporary unavailability of a reliable way of communicating with the ordering physician, such as long page back times, is ignored. Communication of findings not only plays a big role in patient care, it is a topic of discussion in the malpractice arena. We hope our application can provide a sample method of recording this information and to bring this matter to the attention of radiology practices and possibly come up with ways to reduce these times.

Reporting critical results significantly affects patient care. According to recent literature, nearly 60% of malpractice claims in radiology are due to poor communication. Numerous ways of reporting important results may be implemented. One aspect is confirmation by physician or nurse with receiving results. Therefore, relaying information through phone calls is a reliable form of communication. At times it is necessary to page physicians. Page return times can be highly variable for example with contracted hospitalists. Overall, times spent on the phone can take away a big portion of a radiologist's daily work. There are also times that physicians or technicians visit the reading room to review studies or discuss diagnostic alternatives in-person. These times may go unnoticed unless there is quantitative data to show this phenomenon.

A sample stand-alone PC-based application was programmed in Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 that is capable of exporting the recorded data in a text file importable in Microsoft Excel was designed. The key steps in writing the code and flowcharts are provided. 

Ways of enhancing the efficiency of this application is discussed, such as connecting the telephone to the computer modem or using an external input device such as a wireless mouse or keypad. Currently the application is being used for data collection and the pitfalls of the current version of the application will be discussed.

Javan, R, Roth, J, Long, J, Jafari, H, Duszak, R, Methodology of Creating a Robust Stand-alone 'Stopwatch' Application for Quantitative Evaluation of Radiologist Communication Times on the Phone and In Person.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9014633.html