the acr standard of communication

The American College of Radiology first drafted standards for communication in diagnostic radiology in 1991, with subsequent revisions in 1995, 1999, and 2001. This standard is often times considered one of most pivotal and controversial standards adopted by the ACR. In fact, in the 2003 ACR annual meeting, the Oklahoma State Radiological Society sponsored Resolution No. 4, calling for complete replacement of the ACR communication standard. Because of member perception of the use of the ACR's published standards against radiologists in medical liability claims, the communication "standards" were changed to "guidelines".

..there remains one irrefutable fact; communication is the essence of radiology ..

Furthermore, in the preamble of communication standards, these guidelines are listed as an "educational tool" designed to assist practitioners in providing appropriate radiological care for patients. The numerous discussions and oft criticism regarding communication standards compelled the Chair of the Board of Chancellors to appoint a Task Force to "review and thoroughly investigate" concerns pertaining to communication and diagnostic radiology reporting.

Regardless of the controversy or the semantics of radiology reporting guidelines, there remains one irrefutable fact; communication is the essence of radiology. According to the ACR Task Force, deficiencies in communication often result in medical errors causing patient injury which would be in conflict with the ACR motto, "quality is our image".

IV. COMMUNICATION POLICIES
An imaging department’s policy on communication can be an effective tool to promote patient care. The policy can provide guidance on the types of communications that are most critical, the individuals responsible for receiving communications and the methods of communication that are most appropriate. To be effective, however, any written policy must be followed and shared with others within the institution where the diagnostic imagers provide their services. As new methods of communication evolve, diagnostic imagers may wish to modify their actions to accommodate these changes while still conforming to the goals of this guideline.

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Source: American College of Radiology Task Force on Diagnostic Reporting, Report to the Board of Chancellors, 2004
Source: ACR Practice Guideline for Communication: Diagnostic Radiology, In: Standards, Reston, VA: American College of Radiology, Jan 2002