MEDICAL IMPACT OF UNEDITED PRELIMINARY RADIOLOGY REPORTS

PURPOSE: To determine the potential frequency of adverse patient outco mes resulting from erroneous preliminary radiology reports. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors determined the number of preliminary radiolog y reports that changed substantively between the preliminary and final version during a 10-day collection period. They analyzed 200 of 1,648 reports to determine the potential for adverse outcome. RESULTS: Only 5.6% of the preliminary radiology reports were changed substantively. Two percent of all reports contained changes that would have led to a dditional testing or treatment and, possibly, increased morbidity. CON CLUSION: Immediate electronic transfer of a preliminary radiology repo rt results in a small but important number of adverse outcomes; howeve r, if a final edited report follows within 24 hours and referring phys icians are called whenever the preliminary report contains erroneous i nformation, the benefits of rapid information transmission may outweig h the additional risks.