James Y. Chen MD, Presenter: Research Consultant, EBM Technologies, Inc

Amilcare Gentili MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the reliability of a critical results notification system in generating view alerts for imaging studies reported as abnormal.

This was a retrospective study of radiology reports over one-year from October 1, 2010 through September 31, 2011. Reports were text-mined for statements used to document the generation of electronic view alerts for abnormal radiology results. These reports were cross-referenced for the absence or presence of actual view alerts in the electronic medical record. Reports were classified into two categories: initial transcription by a trainee or initial transcription by faculty.

Out of 120,092 reports, 12,734 (10%) were reported as having generated a view alert for abnormal imaging results. Despite documentation of a generating a view alert, 598 (4.7%) reports were missing a view alert in the electronic medical record. The majority of imaging studies reported to have a view alert notification but missing the alert, the majority were initially transcribed by trainees (7.1% of total trainee-transcribed reports) versus transcription solely by faculty (2.5% of all faculty transcribed reports).  

Electronic notification of abnormal radiology results leaves opportunities for improvement. Quality checks for notification should be considered on reports for abnormal imaging results that use electronic alerting to ensure alert generation and delivery.

Recognizing areas of imperfection of critical results reporting tools and monitoring their performance to create interventions may improve the communication of abnormal radiology results.

Chen, J, Gentili, A, Are Your Critical Results Notifications Critically Flawed?.  Radiological Society of North America 2012 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2012 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2012/12038425.html