Benefits of Integrated RIS/PACS/Reporting Due to Automatic Population of Templated Reports

Abstract

With integration of the Radiological Information Systems (RIS), Picture Archiving and Communication systems (PACS), and reporting systems, patient identifiers and examination information can automatically map into examination reports. There are many potential benefits of report automation to radiologists including improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and fatigue. In this article we describe a 2 part study, with the first part being an anonymous survey of radiologists concerning report automation. A total of 13 staff radiologists and 9 radiology residents at a single institution completed an anonymous survey. Respondents were asked if automatic population of examination description, comparison examination data, indications, computed tomography dose, technique, and copy to physician data saved time, decreased fatigue, and increased accuracy. Respondents were asked if a "copy findings" function saved time. The second objective part of the study was a mock examination experiment to assess time savings of report automation and to assess error rates. Of all, 9 radiologists were asked to dictate fields for 8 mock examinations. Subjects were timed and reporting errors monitored. Estimated daily time savings and error rates were calculated assuming a mix of 80 studies. A total of 95% surveyed responded that report automation saved time; 91% that report automation improved accuracy of dictations; 82% that report automation decreased fatigue. Furthermore, 83% of copy finding function users reported time savings. Average time to dictate these prepopulated fields was 51 seconds per study. Average error rate per report was 0.86, with an average of 0.26 errors remaining uncorrected upon report completion. Estimated average time per day saved per radiologist from report automation was 68 minutes. Estimated average corrected errors was 48 per day. Estimated average uncorrected or missed errors was 21 per day. These estimated benefits from report automation result from tight integration of RIS, PACS, and reporting systems.