Simple changes to the reporting environment produce a large reduction in the frequency of interruptions to the reporting radiologist : an observational study
Abstract
Background Interruptions are a cause of discrepancy, errors, and potential safety incidents in radiology. The sources of radiological error are multifactorial and strategies to reduce error should include measures to reduce interruptions. Purpose To evaluate the effect of simple changes in the reporting environment on the frequency of interruptions to the reporting radiologist of a hospital radiology department. Material and Methods A prospective observational study was carried out. The number and type of potentially disruptive events (PDEs) to the radiologist reporting inpatient computed tomography (CT) scans were recorded during 20 separate 1-h observation periods during both pre- and post-intervention phases. The interventions were (i) relocation of the radiologist to a private, quiet room, and (ii) initial vetting of clinician enquiries via a separate duty radiologist. Results After the intervention there was an 82% reduction in the number of frank interruptions (PDEs that require the radiologist to abandon the reporting task) from a median 6 events per hour to 1 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4–6; P < 0.00001). The overall number of PDEs was reduced by 56% from a median 11 events per hour to 5 (95% CI = 4.5–11: P < 0.00001). Conclusion Relocation of inpatient CT reporting to a private, quiet room, coupled with vetting of clinician enquiries via the duty radiologist, resulted in a large reduction in the frequency of interruptions, a frequently cited avoidable source of radiological error.
Citation
Banziger , C , McNeil , K , Goh , N L , Choi , S & Zealley , I 2023 , ' Simple changes to the reporting environment produce a large reduction in the frequency of interruptions to the reporting radiologist : an observational study ' , Acta Radiologica , vol. 64 , no. 5 , pp. 1873-1879 . https://doi.org/10.1177/02841851221139624
Publication
Acta Radiologica
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0284-1851Type
Journal article
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Copyright © The Foundation Acta Radiologica 2022. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
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