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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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Schreyer AG, Elgharbawy M, Dendl LM, Rosenberg B, Menzebach A. [Assessment of teleradiology patients in a major regional hospital]. Radiologe 2020; 60:729-736. [PMID: 32322924 DOI: 10.1007/s00117-020-00683-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate teleradiology examinations regarding the most frequently requested exams and examined body regions. Additionally, the frequency of pathological changes depending on the examined region and clinical situation as well as the time profile for requesting teleradiology (daytime, day of the week) were analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of all consecutive teleradiology exams in 2018 that were reported in the radiology department of a major regional hospital and scanned in three referring primary health care institutions regarding clinical history, working diagnosis and requested body region was performed. Additionally, the date and time of the examination were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 1207 CT (computer tomography) scans that were reported as part of the teleradiology agreement were included. The most frequently requested examination was a cranial CT (77.9%) with 14.6% pathological findings, followed by abdominal CT (14%) with 63.9% pathological changes, spine/extremities (8.8%) with 50% pathological changes and CT of the chest (7.9%) with 53.7% abnormal scans. Most teleradiology requests were referred on weekends between 8 am and 4 pm, followed by 4 pm to 6 pm on weekdays. The smallest number of scans was requested between 2 am and 4 am. CONCLUSION Most teleradiology CT requests focus on brain examinations, followed by abdominal CT, CT of the spine and extremities and CT chest. Most cranial CTs do not show an acute pathology, while abdominal CTs had the highest rate of pathological findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas G Schreyer
- Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie Klinikum Brandenburg, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg (MHB), Hochstraße 29, 14770, Brandenburg an der Havel, Deutschland.
| | - M Elgharbawy
- Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie Klinikum Brandenburg, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg (MHB), Hochstraße 29, 14770, Brandenburg an der Havel, Deutschland
| | - L M Dendl
- Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie Klinikum Brandenburg, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg (MHB), Hochstraße 29, 14770, Brandenburg an der Havel, Deutschland
| | - B Rosenberg
- Geschäftsstelle - Recht, Telemedizin Euroregion POMERANIA e. V., Ferdinand Sauerbruch Str., 17487, Greifswald, Deutschland
| | - Axel Menzebach
- Institut für Anästhesiologie, Intensivmedizin und Schmerztherapie, DONAUISAR Klinikum Deggendorf, Perlasberger Str. 41, 94469, Deggendorf, Deutschland
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