Anna Ellermeier MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jonathan S. Movson MBChB, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Elaine Binns, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Bradford Thomas March MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Grayson L. Baird MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

William W. Mayo-Smith MD, Abstract Co-Author: Author with royalties, Reed Elsevier Author with royalties, Cambridge University Press

Using a macro within our voice dictation system, we were able to seamlessly and automatically e-mail high-yield clinical and laboratory follow-up to radiologists for their diagnostic reports and image-guided procedures.

Correlating radiographic findings with subsequent clinical and laboratory data is important to maintain and improve diagnostic skill. However, given the large volume of interpreted examinations, obtaining this data is tedious. We used a speech recognition macro and interface engine algorithm to automate this process. Unique characters inserted into radiology reports generated follow-up requests: “automatic request” for image-guided procedures or “intentional request” placed by the interpreting radiologist. Automatic query of the EMR for cytology, pathology, endoscopy and operative reports provided results delivered to dictating radiologists via HIPAA-compliant e-mail. The purpose of this study was to determine the type and utility of the delivered information.  

The internally-developed algorithm has been in place for 22 months, generating 10,000 e-mails. We audited a 1-month data sample (February 2013) to assess for utility of provided data, as determined by e-mail concordance with the original dictation. There were 268 unique reports (170 automatic; 98 intentional), of which 92% (246/268) received concordant e-mail follow-up. Automatic requests were 96% useful (164/170) and intentional requests were 79% useful (77/98). As some accession numbers generated multiple e-mails, 418 total messages were received. Useful data was contained in 90% (378) of these, with concordance by category as follows: pathology 94% (160/171), cytology 91% (127/140), operative report 88% (73/83) and endoscopy 75% (18/24).  

The high-yield of our clinical follow-up algorithm demonstrates a useful new tool to easily correlate laboratory and clinical outcomes with original radiographic findings. These HIPAA-compliant e-mails may be forwarded to referring physicians, further promoting efficient communication for improved patient care.  

Ellermeier, A, Movson, J, Binns, E, March, B, Baird, G, Mayo-Smith, W, Automated Email Delivery of Clinical and Laboratory Follow-up Data to the Radiologist from the Dictated Report: Preliminary Results of a New IT Algorithm.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14004678.html