Research Shows Improvements to Imaging Protocols

Written by Ronny Bachrach on May 6, 2015. Posted in Digital Radiography and PACS, DR Systems, Hardware

Health care providers in the U.S. have to follow specific criteria when ordering diagnostic imaging studies to protect patients from radiation exposure and ensure proper allocation of clinical resources. Recently, the Joint Commission released updated accreditation requirements for doctors specializing in radiology.

Educating physicians about imaging safety
AuntMinnie.com reported that although the new rules emphasize practicing safe scans, some imaging advocates believe more specific guidance is needed. According to Rebecca Smith-Bindman from the University of California, San Francisco, the lack of details and metrics regarding radiation dose and tracking of dosage changes means there could be issues with consistency among practices.

The Joint Commission was set to publish guidelines back in January 2014, but delayed implementation in May in response to feedback that further clarification was needed on matters like documentation of CT exam radiation dose. On Jan. 9, the organization released its updated guidelines, which are set to take effect on July 1, 2015.

These requirements contain revisions for concerns about technologists' qualifications, doctors' involvement in annual imaging equipment evaluations and other issues. Frank Shellock, Ph.D., of Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, believes that the new rules will improve clinical practice by protecting patients and health care workers during lengthy scans.

"In and of themselves, these requirements will not tell you how to run an MR center safely," Emanuel Kanal, M.D., director of magnetic resonance services at the University of Pittsburgh, told AuntMinnie.com. "But it does signal that the Joint Commission is looking at the issue."

While the guidelines are critical to enhancing medical imaging, there are still basic steps that physicians can take to improve services, namely increasing the frequency of follow-ups for additional imaging.

Encouraging communication among health care providers
According to HealthImaging, radiology reports that suggest further studies are more likely to result in a lack of follow-up services than those without. New research, published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, noted how infrequent follow-ups can potentially lead to suboptimal clinical outcomes and malpractice claims.

"Radiology reports are the primary means of communication between a radiologist and the referring physician," wrote the authors, quoted by the news source.

Led by Aymer al-Mutairi, M.D., researchers from the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston, Texas, reviewed 250 outpatient radiology reports. Out of the total number of charts, 92 were not followed up in a timely manner, with the remaining 158 serving as controls in the study. Further imaging recommendations were made on 64.8 percent of abnormal studies, and of these, 75 percent were not followed up. In addition, the team found expressions of doubt in reports with and without timely follow-ups.

The study findings, coupled with the Joint Commission's recommendations, underscore the need for developing specific safeguards to protect patients through better dose monitoring and more active follow-up procedures. With improved protocols in place, doctors can practice advanced medicine that bolsters the quality of care.

Contact Viztek for more information.

Ronny Bachrach

Ronny Bachrach

Marketing Director at Viztek LLC
Responsible for all marketing activities including, press, advertising, trade show coordination, website management, dealer and customer communications.
Ronny Bachrach
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