Forums » Open clinical » Radiology » Should radiologists call through abnormal findings...horse or sweet?
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Should radiologists call through abnormal findings...horse or sweet?
posted at 30/11/2011 2:02 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 322
First: 27/10/2011 Last: 24/5/2013 |
This really is an old chestnut...but what type?   After the usual empassioned yet highly amicable weekly departmental meeting, we still couldn't decide on what the party line should be. One argument was that reports are there to be read and so why should they be phoned through (also good luck in getting in contact without a bleep or extension in the request). Immediate counterpoint: not all images are reported immediately. Countercounterpoint: the clinicians should be looking at the image anyway. Countercountercounterpoint: then what is the point in issuing a radiology report at all? And so on. I would tend to fall on the side of alerting the clinical team of findings that may significantly alter the management plan or change the priority with which they need to address problems. This is mainly for out of hours on call when the teams are down to the skeleton crew and very stretched, but still holds true for the normal working day. Can anyone stretch out the weak chestnut analogy for me...I can't decide which opinion is 'horse' and which is 'sweet' without being too solipsistic at calling my own 'sweet'!
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Re: Should radiologists call through abnormal findings...horse or sweet?
posted at 30/11/2011 3:36 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1351
First: 25/1/2009 Last: 24/5/2013 |
Places I've worked will call through anything that may require urgent attention (e.g. bleed on CT head, perforation on abdo CT) but not those which do not (e.g. new mass seen in abdomen) |
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Re: Should radiologists call through abnormal findings...horse or sweet?
posted at 30/11/2011 3:56 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 322
First: 27/10/2011 Last: 24/5/2013 |
DrS, But would they call through unperforated appendicitis (still needs an op) or an ischaemic stroke (needs aspirin)? Where to draw the line... Tom
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Re: Should radiologists call through abnormal findings...horse or sweet?
posted at 30/11/2011 4:18 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1351
First: 25/1/2009 Last: 24/5/2013 |
I'm not sure of the exact policy as I dont work in radiology, but my experience is: |
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Re: Should radiologists call through abnormal findings...horse or sweet?
posted at 30/11/2011 4:45 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 322
First: 27/10/2011 Last: 24/5/2013 |
I think that you've hit the nail on the head there, Dr S. It would be interesting (but clearly a catastrophe) to see how a case of the radiologist not calling through a life-/limb-threatening finding resulting in loss of said would play out in the courts if the radiologist was being sued, not the clinician. Plus a little more discourse between clinical team and radiology can only sweeten our relationship!
As a rule, I try 3 times to get in contact with the individual who referred (irrespective of grade) then go up the ladder (I have called consultants at 2 am), do not leave important findings with the nursing staff (it is not fair on them), and will phone through anything that might alter the management plan or require something being done to the patient (whether drug or invasive). |
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Re: Should radiologists call through abnormal findings...horse or sweet?
posted at 30/11/2011 4:57 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 2060
First: 12/3/2010 Last: 24/5/2013 |
It's not a chestnut that is required, but a Blackberry©! Email the requestor the repeort with an 'Urgent' flag and your work is done. Total thread diversion, but ten years ago my Trust planted sweet chestnut trees outside A&E. They are mature this year, and have fruited. I think a few staff had their suspicions confirmed to see Dr,J scrabbling through the gutters in search of fag ends, when in fact I was filling my pockets with sweet chestnuts! A bit fiddly to peel, but a lovely teatime snack, after five minutes in the oven! John |
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Re: Should radiologists call through abnormal findings...horse or sweet?
posted at 30/11/2011 5:07 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 322
First: 27/10/2011 Last: 24/5/2013 |
excellent idea re: blackberry messenger. akin to the paging system they have in some american hospitals i believe, which could be modified to alert with significant results. this really should exist. roast chestnuts are indeed far more delicious than fag ends. try finely mashing/ricing them and mixing with whipped cream and a tot of rum. have to say, though, marron glace are my favourite, John!  |
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Re: Should radiologists call through abnormal findings...horse or sweet?
posted at 30/11/2011 9:44 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 2060
First: 12/3/2010 Last: 24/5/2013 |
Can't beat the chestnut stuffing that 'er indoors provides for the Christmas turkey. Not that he appreciates it. Sorry, I'll shut up now. JOhn |
Forums » Open clinical » Radiology » Should radiologists call through abnormal findings...horse or sweet?
