Articles Tagged With: Radiology
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Give Actionable Incidental Findings Proper Attention
New recommendations help health systems implement processes that will preserve patient safety. These tips aim to make it easy for providers to do right by their patients when clinicians identify actionable incidental findings.
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Malpractice Lawsuits Allege ED Missed Intracranial Aneurysms
Failure to image patients is a relatively frequent cause of litigation, but it should be seen in context. It is not so much incorrect interpretations of imaging studies; rather, failure to consider the possibility of an aneurysm, resulting in an inadequate workup, is a more common allegation.
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Med/Mal Claims Focus on Decision Aid Findings from ECGs, Radiology Tests
If the radiologist does not address computer findings directly, the ED clinician is left to make assumptions about what the radiologist has found significant or insignificant. If radiologists are not routinely addressing computer findings, emergency providers will spend resources attempting to sift through reports and images, trying to rule in or out what the computer has found. Radiologists should acknowledge computer findings, and comment on why or why not the finding is accurate and significant to the patient’s care.
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New Processes ‘Close the Loop’ on Imaging Findings
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, radiologists report imaging findings through a standardized form integrated in dictation software. This automatically sends an email to a nurse navigator, who documents the findings and coordinates follow-up with patients, primary care providers, and specialists. From July 2021 to May 2022, 1,207 incidental finding reports were submitted, with the vast majority identified on CT scans. Ten new cancers were detected as a result of the program.
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Emergency, Radiology Groups Suggest Best Practices for Incidental Findings
Better reporting, communication needed when troubling lesions appear on images.
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EDs Need Process for Incidental Radiology Findings
To lower the risks of “failure to notify” claims, institute clear protocols on who is responsible for dealing with abnormal test results. Educate patients on how to find out about their test results; this includes obtaining updated contact information. Finally, use electronic alerts to notify patients and providers when tests results are ready.
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Patient Pool Eligible for Lung Cancer Screening Expands Under Amended Criteria
CMS lowers age, smoking history thresholds.
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Notify Patient if Initial Radiology Read Is Incorrect
Failure to notify the patient about a new result can come back on the ED provider if it can be shown that earlier notification could have changed the patient’s outcome.
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Inconsistent Ethics Training in Undergraduate Radiologic Technology Programs
Few programs are using case-based studies and group discussions. Such instruction gives students the opportunity to recognize, analyze, and understand ethical dilemmas. This would allow educators to evaluate how students apply their learning in the professional setting.
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Predicting Coronary Artery Disease in Breast Cancer Patients
The authors applied an automated algorithm to calculate an Agatston coronary artery calcium score from non-ECG-gated planning CT scans in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. This provided a graded risk calculation that could encourage preventive measures in patients at highest risk of a cardiovascular disease event.