Current problems in diagnostic radiology
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Curr Probl Diagn Radiol · May 2018
"Partially Matched" US Senior Diagnostic Radiology Applicants: Scope of the Problem and Implications for Applicants, Residency Training Programs, and the Academic Diagnostic Radiology Community.
Anecdotal reports have recently surfaced of an increase in the number of US senior diagnostic radiology (DR)-bound residency applicants who did not secure a preliminary year position through the Main Resident Match (the Match) of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), so-called "partial matches." This study sought to determine the scope of this phenomenon and address potential causes and solutions. ⋯ Although a definitive explanation for a recent increase in partial matches remains elusive, strategies exist for DR applicants, residency programs, and the DR academic community to minimize this risk.
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Curr Probl Diagn Radiol · Jan 2018
ReviewReal-Time Electronic Dashboard Technology and Its Use to Improve Pediatric Radiology Workflow.
The purpose of our study was to create a real-time electronic dashboard in the pediatric radiology reading room providing a visual display of updated information regarding scheduled and in-progress radiology examinations that could help radiologists to improve clinical workflow and efficiency. To accomplish this, a script was set up to automatically send real-time HL7 messages from the radiology information system (Epic Systems, Verona, WI) to an Iguana Interface engine, with relevant data regarding examinations stored in an SQL Server database for visual display on the dashboard. ⋯ Other advantages include enhanced ability of radiologists to anticipate and attend to examinations requiring radiologist monitoring or scanning, as well as to work with technologists and operations managers to optimize scheduling in radiology resources. We foresee increased utilization of electronic dashboard technology in the future as a method to improve radiology workflow and quality of patient care.
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Curr Probl Diagn Radiol · Jan 2018
Use of Computed Tomography to Determine Perforation in Patients With Acute Appendicitis.
Urgent appendectomy has long been the standard of care for acute appendicitis. Six randomized trials have demonstrated that antibiotics can safely treat appendicitis, but approximately 1 in 4 of these patients eventually requires appendectomy. Overall treatment success may be limited by complex disease including perforation. Patients׳ success on antibiotic therapy may depend on preoperative identification of complex disease on imaging. However, the effectiveness of computed tomography (CT) in differentiating complex disease including perforated from nonperforated appendicitis remains to be determined. The purpose of this study was to assess the preoperative diagnostic accuracy of CT in determining appendiceal perforation in patients operated for acute appendicitis. ⋯ The usefulness of a CT for determining perforation in acute appendicitis is limited, and methods to improve precision in identifying patients with complicated appendicitis should be explored as this may help for improving risk prediction for failure of treatment with antibiotic therapy and help guide patients and providers in shared decision-making for treatment options.
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Curr Probl Diagn Radiol · Jul 2016
Rating and Classification of Incident Reporting in Radiology in a Large Academic Medical Center.
The purpose of this article is to provide a rate of safety incident report of adverse events in a large academic radiology department and to share the various types that may occur. This is a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant, institutional review board-approved study. Consent requirement was waived. ⋯ Approximately 48.5% (4947/10,202) of incidents had no patient harm and did not affect the patient, followed by no patient harm, but did affect the patient (35.2%, 3589/10,202), temporary or minor patient harm (15.5%, 1584/10,202), permanent or major patient harm (0.6%, 62/10,202), and patient death (0.2%, 20/10,202). Within an academic radiology department, the rate of incident reports was only 0.23%, usually did not harm the patient, and occurred at higher rates in inpatients. The most common incident type was in the category of diagnostic test orders, followed by service coordination, and ADRs.
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Curr Probl Diagn Radiol · May 2016
ReviewRadiological Evaluation and Endovascular Treatment of Hemoptysis.
Hemoptysis can be a life-threatening condition that warrants urgent investigation and intervention. Common causes include bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis, and malignancy. ⋯ The aim of this article is to summarize the pathophysiology, causes, initial management, and diagnostic approach of hemoptysis. Endovascular treatment of hemoptysis, technique, embolic materials, outcomes, complications, and follow-up of patients are discussed.