Amir Imanzadeh MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Anand K. H. Singh MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Parul Penkar MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ajay K. Singh MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Gloria Maria Martinez Salazar MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Garry Choy MD, MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the quality, performance, and accurate documentation of communication of acute findings with referring physicians by radiologists in the emergency department.

We assessed a randomly selected 150 patients who underwent imaging at our institution between 8/2012 to 4/2013. We collected the date and time of request of imaging, indication, imaging diagnosis, and time at which communication of acute findings were communicated by radiologists based on radiology report. Acute findings were defined as requiring immediate surgical or medical treatment. We then calculated time interval between image acquisition and documented time of communication and correlated to whether findings were acute or non-acute. Appropriate and complete documentation was defined as including date, time and read back information with physician name. 

In our study, there was 150 patients with average age of 61 y (±21) with a M:F ratio of 68:82 where the most common imaging studies included CT scan (n=42) and MRI (n=35). Complete documentation of communication of acute findings occurred 69.3% of the time, which included all elements of referring physician name, date, and time. In those cases where the complete documentation was recorded, the average interval time between completing study and discussing the results was 3 hours and 55 minutes (SD 5 hours and 39 minutes). There were 103 cases with any abnormal imaging findings (including non-acute finding, i.e. pneumonia) and a subset of 63 cases with acute conditions. For these patients with acute findings, the time interval of communication was less than 2 hours for 60.57% of cases.

Communication of acute imaging findings to the referring physician is critical for patient care. In our study, we found that in a majority of time, there is complete documentation and timely communication. However, there is also high variance in radiologist documentation and communication. As a result, there remains an important opportunity for quality improvement in the communication of acute findings. 

Ensuring high quality radiology reporting requires both proper documentation of radiologist to referring physician communication and timely communication, particularly in the setting of acute findings

Imanzadeh, A, Singh, A, Penkar, P, Singh, A, Salazar, G, Choy, G, Communication of Acute Findings on Imaging Examinations: Quality and Performance Assessment in the Emergency Department.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13025975.html