Curbing Inappropriate Usage of STAT Imaging at a Large Academic Medical Center

Purpose
To evaluate a new system for processing and performing inpatient STAT diagnostic imaging with respect to utilization and time-based performance metrics.
Materials and Methods
This HIPAA-compliant study had institutional review board approval; informed consent was not required. The radiology information system of a large academic medical center was queried for all inpatient diagnostic imaging exams performed and interpreted from August 1, 2010, to October 31, 2012. Using customized software, data were evaluated based on order priority (non-STAT or STAT) and exam modality with respect to exam volume and time-based performance metrics (time-to-performance and preliminary interpretation time). Data were compared over 3 periods: August 1, 2010, to October 31, 2010 (preimplementation period); November 1, 2010, to October 31, 2011 (year 1 postimplementation); and November 1, 2011, to October 31, 2012 (year 2 postimplementation).
Results
In the first year after implementation of the new STAT policy, the percentage of inpatient exams ordered STAT significantly decreased from 22.1% to 5.4% (P

Source: Journal of Patient Safety - February 16, 2019 Category: Health Management Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research