Impact of a Four-Point Order-Priority Score on Imaging Examination Performance Times

BackgroundMany hospitals use a traditional categoric system (eg, STAT, ASAP [as soon as possible], routine) to prioritize orders for imaging examination performance. If left undefined, these categories contain ambiguity, which contributes to errant or misused categorizations, and ultimately, lost opportunity to optimally direct resources toward timely patient care. Our hospital implemented ordinal order-priority categories with specific definitions. We sought to determine the impact of this prioritization method on examination performance time and consistency.MethodsA four-level numeric priority system with clinical definitions for each category was implemented in 2011 to replace a traditional model for hospital imaging orders. Retrospective analysis was performed on imaging orders for three years (2011-2013) after implementation, to assess the order-to-performance time (OTPT), defined as the time between order placement by the provider and examination completion by the technologist. Consistency was measured by the length of the interquartile range for the OTPT distribution. Comparison was made to orders from the preimplementation year (2010), as a control.ResultsThe OTPT and OTPT consistency for performed examinations were both predictably stratified by order-priority level. Relative to control, we observed a reduction in the percentage of prioritized examinations, as well as modest general improvements in OTPT and OTPT consistency.ConclusionsA revised order-priority system with ordinal categorizations and clinical definitions accompanying each priority level at order entry yielded desirable prioritization of imaging examination performance by technologists, as evidenced by appropriate stratification of turnaround times and consistency by level of priority.     

Correlation of the Strength of Recommendations for Additional Imaging to Adherence Rate and Diagnostic Yield

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the wording of radiologist recommendations for chest CT with the likelihood of recommendation adherence and the diagnostic yield of the recommended follow-up CT imaging.MethodsThis HIPAA-compliant retrospective study had institutional review board approval, including waiver of the requirement for patient consent. All outpatient chest radiographic (CXR) studies performed at a tertiary care academic medical center in 2008 (n = 29,138) were searched to identify examinations with recommendations for chest CT. The wording of chest CT recommendations was classified as conditional or absolute, on the basis of whether the recommendation stood independent of the clinical judgment of the ordering clinician. Using the radiology information system, patients who underwent chest CT within 90 days of the index CXR study containing the recommendation were determined, and the CT studies were evaluated to determine if there were abnormalities corresponding to the CXR abnormalities that prompted the recommendations. Corresponding abnormalities were categorized as clinically relevant or not, on the basis of whether further workup or treatment was warranted. Groups were compared using t tests and Fisher exact tests.ResultsRecommendations for chest CT appeared in 4.5% of outpatient CXR studies (1,316 of 29,138; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.3%–4.8%); 39.4% (519 of 1,316; 95% CI, 36.8%–42.0%) were conditional and 60.6% (797 of 1,316; 95% CI, 58.0%–63.2%) were absolute. Patients with absolute recommendations were significantly more likely to undergo follow-up chest CT within 90 days than patients with conditional recommendations (67.8% vs 45.8%, respectively, P < .001). Despite this difference in provider adherence, there was no significant difference between the conditional and absolute recommendation groups with regard to the incidence of clinically relevant corresponding findings (P = .16) or malignancy (P = .08) on follow-up CT.ConclusionsConditional radiologist recommendations are associated with decreased provider adherence, though the likelihood of a clinically relevant finding on follow-up CT is no different than with absolute recommendations.     

Factors Affecting Adherence to Recommendations for Additional Imaging of Incidental Findings in Radiology Reports

ObjectiveTo determine the rate at which recommendations for additional imaging (RAIs) of incidental findings on CT are adhered to at a tertiary-care medical center and what factors influence adherence.MethodsWe used a radiology clinical informatics tool (mPower, Nuance Communications Inc, Burlington, Massachusetts) to identify RAIs in reports from all CT examinations performed at a tertiary-care medical center during a 6-month period. For those studies in which the RAI was for incidental findings, we reviewed the patients’ charts to determine if there was appropriate follow-up of the lesion in question.ResultsThe overall rate of adherence to RAIs was 39.1%, and in patients with a same-institution primary care provider (PCP), 56.8% (P < .0001). Adherence was higher in studies ordered in the outpatient setting (P < .0001) and in patients with a same-institution PCP (P < .0001). Among patients with a same-institution PCP, adherence was highest for outpatients (66.7%), followed by patients seen in the emergency department (46.0%) and inpatients (36.0%). Among outpatients, adherence was highest with PCPs (67%) followed by internal medicine subspecialties (50%) and surgery (38%).DiscussionThe rate of adherence to recommendations for additional imaging of incidental findings was 39.1% in this study and higher for patients with a same-institution PCP, studies ordered in the outpatient setting, and in studies ordered by PCPs.     

恙虫病100例临床影像学分析

目的 探讨现的临床影像学资料,评价其诊断价值。材料与方法 回顾性分析１００例恙虫病的临床及影像学表现。结果 符合诊断标准的男４３例,女５７例,年龄１．５～８０岁（平均３０岁）,６～９月为发病高峰,多有野外作业史,常见症状为高热、皮肤焦痂和溃疡、皮疹、淋巴结肿大。实验室检查血细胞减少,血清外－菲氏ＯＸｋ凝集反应阳性,影像学表现：胸部异常占３８％,以肺门阴影增大、肺纹理增多、小斑点状模糊影为常见,少数     

Cone-beam CT: An Additional Imaging Tool in the Interventional Treatment and Management of Low-flow Vascular Malformations

PurposeTo evaluate the impact of cone-beam computed tomography (CT) during sclerotherapy of low-flow vascular malformations.Materials and MethodsEighty-seven cone-beam CT examinations were acquired during 81 sclerotherapy treatments of low-flow malformations in 48 patients: 81 were performed to evaluate sclerosing agent diffusion and six were performed to evaluate needle or catheter positioning before injection of therapeutic agent. Image quality was rated by two observers. Clinical impact of cone-beam CT in the assessment of therapeutic agent diffusion, needle or catheter positioning, subsequent treatment planning, and complication detection was evaluated. The κ-statistic was used to assess interobserver reliability and proportions, with associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsAll cone-beam CT images were successfully acquired. Image quality was rated as excellent or good for the majority of studies, with substantial interobserver reliability (κ = 0.648). Cone-beam CT studies improved assessment of therapeutic agent diffusion in 83% of cases (67 of 81; 95% CI, 75%–91%) for observer 1, who had access to ultrasound, fluoroscopic, and digital subtraction angiographic (DSA) imaging, and in 95% of cases (77 of 81; 95% CI, 90%–100%) for observer 2, who had access to only stored fluoroscopic spot radiographs and DSA images. Cone-beam CT impacted planning of the next treatment session in 49% of cases (40 of 81; 95% CI, 38%–60%). In 7% of cases (six of 81; 95% CI, 1%–13%), complications such as migration of therapeutic agent or compression of upper airways were detected that were not seen with other imaging.ConclusionsCone-beam CT can be a useful adjunctive imaging tool, providing information to help decision-making during percutaneous sclerotherapy and ongoing management of low-flow vascular malformations.     

3.0 T扩散张量成像在评估前列腺癌Gleason评分的价值

目的 研究前列腺癌磁共振扩散张量成像(DTI)参数表观扩散系数(ADC)与各向异性分数(FA)与其病理分级(Gleason评分)的关系,评价ADC值与FA值对于前列腺癌病理分级的诊断价值及评价前列腺癌危险度分级的诊断效能.方法 采用3.0TMR对70例经病理证实的前列腺癌患者行DTI检查,b值为0和800 s/mm2.测量前列腺癌的ADC值及FA值,根据病理结果将患者按Gleason评分系统分为高、中、低危三组:Gleason≥8分、Gleason=7分、Gleason≤6分.对三组数据进行单因素方差分析(one-wayANOVA),并进行组间两两比较.采用Pearson相关分析检验前列腺癌ADC值及FA值与Gleason评分的相关性.将前列腺癌Gleason评分≤7与Gleason 评分≥8两组之间进行受试者工作特性(ROC)曲线分析,判断低中危组与高危组诊断界值.结果 三组前列腺癌区平均ADC值分别为(0.96 ±0.10)×10-3mm2/s、(0.76±0.15)×10-3mm2/s和(0.62 ±0.12)×10-3mm2/s,FA值分别为0.39 ±0.06、0.31 ±0.09和0.22±0.06;三组ADC值、FA值组间差异均具有统计学意义(P＜0.05);ADC值、FA值与Gleason评分之间均呈负相关(ADC值r=-0.768,P＜0.05;FA值r=-0.662,P＜0.05),两者均随Gleason评分的增高而减小.以ADC =0.68×10-3mm2/s为临界点,区分低中危组与高危组癌灶的诊断敏感性84.2％,特异性76.9％,准确性87.1％;以FA =0.24为临界点,区分低中危组与高危组癌灶的诊断敏感性79.5％,特异性75.8％,准确性78.4％.结论 前列腺癌ADC值及FA值与病理分级(Gleason评分)之间呈负相关,具有预测癌灶恶性程度的潜力,有助于预测前列腺癌的恶性程度.     

Impact of Reimbursement Cuts on the Sustainability and Accessibility of Dopamine Transporter Imaging

PurposeDopamine transporter single-photon emission computed tomography imaging utilizing iodine-123 ioflupane is accurate for differentiation of Parkinson disease from essential tremor. This study evaluates how reimbursement for I-123 ioflupane imaging changed between 2011 (year of FDA approval) and 2014 (year after loss of pass-through status for hospital-based outpatient imaging from CMS).MethodsI-123 ioflupane reimbursement data for our institution’s hospital-based imaging were compared between two periods: (1) July 2011 to October 2012, and (2) 2014. For each time period separately and in combination, averages and ranges of reimbursement for private insurance and CMS were analyzed and compared. A model to ensure recouping of radiopharmaceutical costs was developed.ResultsReview yielded 247 studies from July 2011 to October 2012 and 94 studies from 2014. Average reimbursement per study fell from $2,469 (US dollars) in 2011 to 2012 to $1,657 in 2014. CMS reduced average reimbursement by $1,148 in 2014 because of loss of radiopharmaceutical pass-through status. Average reimbursements from CMS versus private payors markedly differed in 2011 to 2012 at $2,266 versus $2,861, respectively, and in 2014 at $1,118 versus $3,470, respectively. Between 2011 to 2012 and 2014, the CMS percentage increased from 54% to 78%. Assuming that I-123 ioflupane cost $2,000, our model based on 2014 data predicts a practice with greater than 60% CMS patients would no longer recover radiopharmaceutical costs.ConclusionsReimbursement levels, payor mix, scanner location, and radiopharmaceutical costs are all critical, variable factors for modeling the financial viability of I-123 ioflupane imaging and, by extrapolation, future radiopharmaceuticals.     

Impact of Delayed Time to Advanced Imaging on Missed Appointments Across Different Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the impact of wait days (WDs) on missed outpatient MRI appointments across different demographic and socioeconomic factors.MethodsAn institutional review board–approved retrospective study was conducted among adult patients scheduled for outpatient MRI during a 12-month period. Scheduling data and demographic information were obtained. Imaging missed appointments were defined as missed scheduled imaging encounters. WDs were defined as the number of days from study order to appointment. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to assess the contribution of race and socioeconomic factors to missed appointments. Linear regression was performed to assess the relationship between missed appointment rates and WDs stratified by race, income, and patient insurance groups with analysis of covariance statistics.ResultsA total of 42,727 patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean WDs were 7.95 days. Multivariate regression showed increased odds ratio for missed appointments for patients with increased WDs (7-21 days: odds ratio [OR], 1.39; >21 days: OR, 1.77), African American patients (OR, 1.71), Hispanic patients (OR, 1.30), patients with noncommercial insurance (OR, 2.00-2.55), and those with imaging performed at the main hospital campus (OR, 1.51). Missed appointment rate linearly increased with WDs, with analysis of covariance revealing underrepresented minorities and Medicaid insurance as significant effect modifiers.ConclusionsIncreased WDs for advanced imaging significantly increases the likelihood of missed appointments. This effect is most pronounced among underrepresented minorities and patients with lower socioeconomic status. Efforts to reduce WDs may improve equity in access to and utilization of advanced diagnostic imaging for all patients.     

On the Contribution of Psychiatry to Law

Forensic scientific evidence is becoming increasingly important to the criminal justice system. However, it is essential not to become complacent about the possibility of errors occurring with such evidence. The case of the wrongful conviction of Mr Farah Jama in Victoria on no more than a single piece of flawed DNA evidence serves as an object lesson for all actors involved in the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases to adopt a critical approach to forensic scientific evidence. This article discusses the role of the prosecutor with reference to practice in New South Wales and the particular recommendation of the inquiry conducted by Mr Frank Vincent AO QC into the Jama case that the investigator, the forensic specialist and the prosecutor find ways to work together that respect their independence while ensuring that the possibility for error is minimised.