The complex workflows between emergency physicians and radiologists often require efficient communication. However, interruptions in these critical conversations may result in delayed decisions and poor patient outcomes.
This gap is exacerbated by physical separation between radiologist and clinician; hectic work schedules; and the challenge of finding reports on PACS systems.
1. Embedded Reading Rooms
Radiology departments have a lot on their plate. They have to provide patients with timely access to accurate and complete reports, deliver critical information about patient care, and automating routine tasks.
Embedded reading rooms help bridge some of these gaps by bringing radiologists and referring physicians together in the same location. By putting the patient at the center of this workflow, these rooms allow for more collaborative discussions that can reduce errors and improve referring physician understanding of radiology findings.
A recent study at New York University Langone Health found that placing reading rooms in clinical areas corresponds to higher rates of direct communication between radiologist and clinicians. These discussions focus on more than just the report; they involve sharing multimedia options, such as annotated images and tracking tables that tabulate progression of lesions over time.
Digital cameras have revolutionized special collections reading rooms. Once considered a nuisance by archivists and librarians, today they are accepted by repositories, tolerated by rights holders, and expected by researchers. Some libraries are even offering high-resolution visualization services, allowing scholars, teachers and members of the public to remotely access physical collection materials without visiting research spaces.
In an increasingly digital world, the Parti-Librari architecture competition asked participants to envision a flexible, portable, and adaptable solution for the future of libraries and reading rooms. Our BKV team developed a versatile concept that leverages lightweight components to create distinctly unique and inviting installations that can be used in a wide range of climates and environments. In addition, the Parti-Librari design embodies core library values such as being welcoming and safe; an invitation to exploration and connection; a cultural touchstone amidst changing landscapes; and a space for people across all demographics.
2. Critical Test Results Management
Although the greatest diagnostic tools are available, they mean nothing to patients if significant, unexpected findings are not relayed properly to the appropriate providers. Fumbled communication hand-offs are the second leading cause of malpractice lawsuits, according to research.
Hospitals and healthcare institutions are increasingly focusing on critical test results management, a process which encompasses both the identification of clinically significant test results and their timely communication to clinicians. A growing body of literature suggests that this can reduce radiologist liability in malpractice cases and may also improve patient outcomes.
A system which combines software with a defined workflow for telephone communication of critical results can efficiently and reliably communicate these results to referring physicians, according to researchers from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The institution uses internally developed software that manages a model with a liberal definition of a critical result and makes it easy for technologists or radiologists to select a study for communication. Customers service representatives then call the referring physician to report the critical finding and document every step of the process.
In addition to allowing referring physicians to communicate with the right person quickly, this type of system helps ensure that all critical results are documented and reported, according to Dr. Alexander Towbin. This helps to avoid the problem of a missing critical result that can occur in other systems when the radiologist calls the wrong person or leaves a message but the contact is not returned.
Amcom’s Critical Test Results Management solutions include secure communications, such as encrypted smartphone communications and two-way paging, as well as images, annotations, documents, voice, and more, to a wide range of devices including laptops, tablets, smartphones, workstations and other wireless devices. These systems help improve the efficiency of lab and radiology departments by transferring information securely to the right people in the right time, so that patients receive the most appropriate care for their condition.
3. Multimedia Reporting
Communication between radiologists and referring physicians has traditionally been conducted through written reports. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, radiology departments need to find more efficient ways to communicate diagnostic information and ensure patient safety. One solution is interoperable multimedia reporting.
Multimedia reporting utilizes a combination of images, videos and textual annotations to convey medical imaging findings in a concise, structured format. This allows for clearer insights into patients’ medical conditions, and helps to reduce ambiguity in the interpretation of diagnostic testing results. The result is more effective and timely communication of critical results between radiologists and referring physicians, and ultimately, improved patient outcomes.
The digitized world of the 21st century is rapidly changing, and radiologists are at the forefront of this change. With the onset of online reporting, new digital platforms have enabled direct communication between radiologists and patients as well as between radiologists and referring physicians. These online reporting systems integrate with a radiology information system (RIS) that serves as the central hub for all radiology images and corresponding clinical data.
This system enables instant access to radiology reports for both referring physicians and patients, as well as easy collaboration between radiologists and other healthcare professionals. This translates into better overall operational efficiency in radiology laboratories, reduced errors and more accurate and reliable communication between radiologists and referring physicians.
Creating effective multidisciplinary teams in the hospital can help improve patient care and safety, reduce malpractice lawsuits, and promote more accurate diagnoses and treatments. But in order to achieve these goals, multidisciplinary teams need to have dedicated leaders who understand their roles and responsibilities, provide training on best practices, set clear expectations for each other, enforce disciplined time management and create an environment of respect and trust.
4. Selective Word Choice
Word choice is an important aspect of communication. It involves selecting words that convey the intended message and evoke the desired response in an audience. Word choice can be influenced by a variety of factors, including diction and connotation. Diction is the overall tone and style of a piece of writing, while connotation refers to the emotional or cultural associations that a word may have.
For example, the use of the word “reported” in a sentence can have different meanings depending on whether it is used to indicate a simple observation or an action that has been taken by a person. To avoid confusion, a radiologist should carefully consider all the possible options for the word they are selecting before using it.
Radiology services are vital to a healthcare system and provide vital information for diagnosis of disease and injury. However, delivering radiology services in conflict-affected settings poses unique challenges. This literature review was conducted to identify and analyze key themes related to the delivery of medical imaging in conflict zones.
One of the main reasons for miscommunication in radiology is the use of unclear or technical language in reports. This can lead to misunderstandings between patients, clinicians, and other stakeholders. For this reason, it is important for radiologists to use clear and concise language when communicating with others. To do so, they should pay close attention to word choice and make sure that their reports are written in a way that is easy for general practitioners to understand. This will help to bridge the gap between a radiologist’s study results and patient care. This handout will explain some of the most common issues with word choice and offer strategies for overcoming them.
5. Team-Based Focus on Patient Care
In health care settings, a patient-centered approach is a widely recognized goal and ideal. Yet it remains a challenge to implement. One of the primary barriers is communication, and this is true for both radiologists and referring physicians.
Standardized medical terminology and procedures allow for unambiguous transmission of complex medical concepts and conditions. But the linear model of communication between one sender and one receiver can still lead to misunderstandings, especially in a highly technical field like radiology.
A significant part of a radiologist’s job is communicating imaging findings to referring physicians who are responsible for making treatment decisions. However, the process of transmitting these results is often manual and time-consuming. This can lead to errors and delays in delivering critical information to patients.
The good news is that there are a number of ways to improve the quality and efficiency of radiology communication. These strategies include using embedded reading rooms, introducing multimedia reporting and implementing team-based collaboration. In addition, the RSNA survey showed that many referring physicians support radiologists communicating more directly with patients, and some suggest that reimbursement changes could help mitigate some barriers to this important aspect of patient-centered care.
Embedded reading rooms offer a way for radiologists to communicate with referring physicians face to face without leaving the scanner room. In addition to reducing errors and improving overall productivity, this type of communication also helps ensure that referring physicians are receiving the full picture of their patient’s diagnosis.
Multidisciplinary team-based care is associated with improved patient outcomes in several healthcare settings, including emergency departments and ICUs. These improvements are often attributed to the increased focus on communication and collaboration among multidisciplinary teams. To maximize the effectiveness of this model, it is essential that organizations begin by defining their staff’s roles and ensuring that all individuals are treated as equal members of the team. In addition, organizational leaders should address any existing power hierarchies and create processes for promoting communication and collaboration.