Radiology has become a speciality which requires a tremendous amount of volume processing. In order to be effective radiologists need to be more efficient than ever. Unfortunately, this can leave little time for calling significant unexpected findings. When the communication of unexpected findings lapses, patients suffer and healthcare facilities pay.

Using an electronic reporting system has been proven to save lives and money for hospitals and radiologists.

quick facts

The scope of the problem related to communication in diagnostic radiology was studied by the Physician Insurers Association of America (PIAA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) in 1997. The PIAA membership consists of over 55 professional liability companies representing 740,000 physicians worldwide. They found that communication errors were the fourth most frequent primary allegation against radiologists. Twenty eight member companies of the PIAA reported 144 claims involving communication issues. A number of factors contributed to adverse outcomes:

1. In 10% of the cases, a written report was not issued in a clinically appropriate and/or timely manner.
2. Failure to forward the report to the correct physician or patient was an issue in 10% of the cases.
3. In one sixth of the cases, the radiologist did not have an established policy or procedure in place to identify and communicate findings to referring physicians.
4. In nearly 60% of the cases, the referring physician was not directly contacted regarding urgent or significant unexpected findings.
5. The ACR Standard for communication was used by either party during the litigation process in 30% of the cases in which this information could be extracted.
6. In 25% of the cases where the physician was not notified, reports were sent to the wrong physician.

The PIAA report summarized "had ACR Standards been followed regarding these issues, patient injuries and resulting malpractice claims might have been avoided."

Learn more about: The ACR Standard of Communication »
Learn more about: The Solution »

Source: Physician Insurers Association of America and American College of Radiology. Practice standards claims survey. Rockville, MD: Physician Insurers Association of America, 1997