Communication of radiograph discrepancies between radiology and emergency departments

Communication of radiograph discrepancies between radiology and emergency departments

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Series Title(s):
Pennsylvania patient safety advisory
Contributor(s):
Pennsylvania. Patient Safety Authority.
ECRI (Organization)
Institute for Safe Medication Practices.
Publication:
[Harrisburg, Pa.] : Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, c2010
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Communication
Diagnostic Errors
Emergency Service, Hospital
Observer Variation
Radiology Department, Hospital
Pennsylvania
United States
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
A radiograph ordered in the emergency department (ED) may not be reviewed immediately by a radiologist for a number of reasons, including limited availability of radiology services after hours and the increasing demand on radiology services due to growing ED volume. In 2008, facilities submitted 195 reports to the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority identifying a discrepancy between an ED physician's preliminary radiograph finding and the results of a radiologist's final reading. Processes for communicating radiograph readings from the radiology department to the ED vary among facilities due to factors including the availability of radiology services during off hours and availability of technologic services such as picture archiving and communication systems. When discrepant interpretations occur between the preliminary reading by an ED physician and the final reading by a radiologist, communicating the radiologist's findings to the ED and patient for follow-up is essential to ensure that the patient has received appropriate care. This article examines risk reduction strategies, including standardization of systems for communicating and reconciling radiograph discrepancies between the radiology department and ED that will promote optimal patient care.
Copyright:
Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY-NC-DC license. (More information)
NLM Unique ID:
101567374 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101567374