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Zabel AOJ, Leschka S, Wildermuth S, Hodler J, Dietrich TJ. Subspecialized radiological reporting reduces radiology report turnaround time. Insights Imaging 2020; 11:114. [PMID: 33123830 PMCID: PMC7596149 DOI: 10.1186/s13244-020-00917-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The objective of this study was to compare the radiology report turnaround time (RTAT) between decentralized/modality-based and centralized/subspecialized radiological reporting at a multi-center radiology enterprise. Methods RTAT values for MRI, CT, and conventional radiography were compared between decentralized/modality-based (04 September 2017–22 December 2017) and centralized/subspecialized radiology (03 September 2018–21 December 2018) reporting grouped into three subspecializations (body radiology, musculoskeletal radiology, and neuroradiology) at eleven sites of a multi-center radiology enterprise. For the objective of this investigation, hospitals were defined as major and minor hospitals. The Mann-Whitney U test served for statistical analyses. Results Change of reporting system from decentralized/modality-based to centralized/subspecialized radiology resulted overall in a significant decrease of the RTAT: from 82 to 77 min for the first signature (p < 0.001), and 119 to 107 min and 295 to 238 min for the second signature (p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses demonstrate a significant decrease of the RTAT for MRI reports (e.g., second signature RTAT, 1051 to 401 min; p < 0.001) and conventional radiographs (e. g., second signature RTAT, 278 to 171 min; p < 0.001). The RTAT at major hospitals decreased from 288 to 245 min (second signature; p < 0.001) while the corresponding RTAT of minor hospitals decreased more remarkably, from 300 to 198 min (p < 0.001). However, the results were heterogenous; in some analyses, the RTAT even increased. The effect size analyses represent small effects. Conclusions Change of reporting system from decentralized/modality-based to centralized/subspecialized radiology was associated with a significant decreased RTAT. Specifically, the RTAT for MRI reports and conventional radiographs was significantly reduced. A pronounced RTAT decrease was observed at minor hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Otto Josef Zabel
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007, St. Gallen, CH, Switzerland. .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Pestalozzistrasse 3, CH-8091, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Sebastian Leschka
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007, St. Gallen, CH, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Pestalozzistrasse 3, CH-8091, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Wildermuth
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007, St. Gallen, CH, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Pestalozzistrasse 3, CH-8091, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Juerg Hodler
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Pestalozzistrasse 3, CH-8091, Zürich, Switzerland.,Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091, Zürich, CH, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Johannes Dietrich
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007, St. Gallen, CH, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Pestalozzistrasse 3, CH-8091, Zürich, Switzerland
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Abstract
Digital exchange of images and diagnostic findings has become more and more popular in German hospitals in recent years. Solutions such as the TKmed telecooperation platform, which was developed on behalf of the German Trauma Society (DGU), have meanwhile also become established in the clinical routine of trauma surgery and can be very useful in cases of emergency relocation, for requesting second opinions, in questions with respect to the severely injured type procedure (SAV) and other applications. A fast, secure and privacy-conform exchange of treatment and imaging data can be beneficial, particularly in the care of severely injured patients. This article provides an overview of the development and use of teleradiology tools in trauma networks across Germany.
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