Page 23 - 2022 Risk Basics - Radiology

SVMIC Risk Basics: Radiology

with the study in front of the radiologist. This makes it easy to compare

the transcribed report with the actual images. Having the study and the
report next to each other should also significantly reduce the occurrence

of the all-too-common right-versus-left error.

Radiology reports sometimes contain mistakes attributable to the
radiologist misspeaking into the dictation equipment or typographical

errors made by a transcriptionist. Such errors in the final report are often
retrospectively viewed by expert reviewers as being patently impossible,

making the radiologist look foolish, careless, or disinterested, even though
that is far from the truth.

The integration of electronic communication into a “closed-loop” cycle
will maximize efficiency and minimize the possibility of communication

error if used properly. The cycle starts with the referring physician order,
which is usually entered through the electronic health record (EHR),

with clinical decision support to ensure that the most effective imaging
study is ordered. Modern radiology reports are almost all electronic

format. The majority are produced using speech-recognition systems.
Optimization of this software can alleviate some, if not all, of the inherent

user inefficiencies in this type of reporting. Integrated third-party software
applications that provide data mining capability are extremely helpful

in both academic and clinical settings. The “closed loop” ends with the
automated communication of imaging results. Software products for this

purpose should facilitate use of levels of alert, automated escalation to
providers, and recording of audit trails of reports received. The multiple

components of reporting should be completely interoperable with each
other, as well as with picture archiving and communication system

(PACS), the radiological information system (RIS), and the EHR. 11

11 David L. Weiss, et a. Journal of the American College of Radiology, December 2014, 11 (12ptB).

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