Reducing errors made by emergency physicians in interpreting radiographs: longitudinal study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To reduce errors made in the interpretation of radiographs in an emergency department.

Design

Longitudinal study.

Setting

Hospital emergency department.

Interventions

All staff reviewed all clinically significant discrepancies at monthly meetings. A file of clinically significant errors was created; the file was used for teaching. Later a team redesigned the process. A system was developed for interpreting radiographs that would be followed regardless of the day of the week or time of day. All standard radiographs were brought directly to the emergency physician for immediate interpretation. Radiologists reviewed the films within 12 hours as a quality control measure, and if a significant misinterpretation was found patients were asked to return.

SUBMITTER: Espinosa JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC27314 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature