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After‐hours emergency radiology CT reporting by radiology registrars at an Australian level 1 trauma centre: A review of discrepancies between preliminary and final reports
Author(s) -
Goh Gerard S,
Aberdein Georgina,
Chokka Ramesh,
Yu Xavier,
Varma Dinesh
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of medical imaging and radiation oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1754-9485
pISSN - 1754-9477
DOI - 10.1111/1754-9485.12921
Subject(s) - medicine , major trauma , computed tomography , focused assessment with sonography for trauma , retrospective cohort study , minor (academic) , emergency medicine , radiology , surgery , political science , law , abdominal trauma , blunt
There is reliance on radiology registrar reporting of after‐hours CT scans in many public hospitals across Australia and New Zealand. This study evaluates the extent and nature of CT reporting discrepancies after‐hours by comparing trainee preliminary reports with consultant finalised reports. Methods A retrospective review of all after‐hours CT scans between January and December 2014 by radiology trainees at a level 1 trauma centre was performed. Discrepancies were classified as major or minor, by year level of trainee, time of report and scan type (Trauma vs. Non‐Trauma). Major discrepancies were investigated to assess if they led to increased morbidity, mortality or a change in treatment. Results 17,948 after‐hours CT scans were performed. A total of 1235 preliminary reports required addendums (discrepancy rate of 6.9%). There were 630 Trauma and 605 Non‐Trauma studies. There were 56 major (0.3%) and 1179 minor (6.6%) discrepancies. Of the 56 major discrepancies there were 12 (0.3%) in the Trauma and 44 (6.6%) in the Non‐Trauma groups. There were no adverse patient outcomes due to any major discrepancy. There were more minor discrepancies in reports of Trauma CT s compared to Non‐Trauma ( P ≤ 0.0001). No relationship between the time of report issued and discrepancy rate ( P = 0.811) was observed. There was a lower discrepancy rate the more experienced the registrar from year 2 to advanced fellowship ( P = 0.003). Conclusion The discrepancy rates of after‐hours CT trainee reports were lower at this institution compared to international literature (6.9% vs. 7.7%). The majority of preliminary trainee reports were accurate with no increased morbidity or mortality resulting from major discrepancies.