Clinician.com

What Is the Risk of CT Exposure Before Conception?

In this retrospective cohort study among 5,142,339 pregnancies in Ontario, Canada, exposure to preconception computed tomography (CT) was weakly associated with spontaneous pregnancy loss (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07 to 1.08 for one CT scan; aHR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.16 for two CT scans; and aHR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.21 for three or more CT scans). For the 3,451,968 live births, there was a similar weak association with congenital anomalies (aHR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.08 for one CT scan; aHR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.14 for two CT scans; and aHR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.18 for three or more CT scans).

Most Financial Conflicts of Radiology Guideline Authors Are Undisclosed

Even though the federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act was enacted more than a decade ago, misconceptions persist as to its requirements.

Root Causes of Significantly Delayed CT Scans in ED Settings

EDs often experience delays obtaining computed tomography scans, with some patients waiting multiple hours for the test. This situation causes bottlenecks in patient flow, increasing length of stay and overall ED crowding.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Emergency, Radiology Groups Suggest Best Practices for Incidental Findings

Better reporting, communication needed when troubling lesions appear on images.

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.

Patient Pool Eligible for Lung Cancer Screening Expands Under Amended Criteria

CMS lowers age, smoking history thresholds.

Articles Tagged With: Radiology