Critical Results Management Becomes Essential to PACS

February 6, 2010 - It doesn't matter how quickly and accurately a radiologist diagnoses a critical finding, if the referring physician doesn't see the report in time. That is why the Joint Commission defined procedures for reporting critical findings in its 2008 National Patient Safety Goals Hospital Program.

A few of these steps include verbal or telephone orders or for telephonic reporting of critical test results, verify the complete order or test result by having the person receiving the information record and "read-back" the complete order or test result. Measuring and assessing the timeliness of reporting, and the timeliness of receipt by the responsible licensed caregiver, of critical test results and values.

Since these safety regulations were adopted, new software have automated and simplified the process even further. Now PACS (picture archive and communication system) vendors, like Infinitt, have integrated critical test result management into its PACS offering.

The new version of Infinitt PACS allows users to launch peerVue qiVue directly from the PACS workstation. peerVue's web-based solution provides the tools to capture and manage quality improvement (QI) activities, including critical test result management, radiologist peer review, technologist performance and over-read/discrepancy management (for emergency department, resident and night-hawk discrepancy), with the goal of helping radiology departments meet increasing regulatory and accreditation requirements.

The new tool is designed to enable the selection of specific or random studies for review directly at the PACS Workstation, and can be used to assess, track and document continuous improvement activities.

The integrated solution is customizable and capabilities may be tailored to resolve everyday challenges such as:

·         Joint Commission (JCAHO) Critical Test Results Management

·         American College of Radiology (ACR) Peer Review Requirements

·         Emergency Department (ED) Communications & Discrepancies

·         Overread Discrepancy Management

·         Consultation & Follow-up Management

·         Technologist Performance Improvement
For more information: www.infinittna.com