Failure to act on imaging reports
Patients are being put at risk by a failure to act on radiological imaging reports, the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has said.
In a new safer practice notice the agency say the system for requesting radiology imaging tests and sending reports to the referring health professional is unreliable and had been proven to fail.
‘Early identification of failure to act on radiological imaging reports’ suggests changes to ensure results are communicated and acted on appropriately. These include registered health professionals designing ‘safety net’ procedures for their specialty and making it clear to patients when they should expect to receive the results of a diagnostic test.
SoR Professional Officer, Maria Murray, said: “Unfortunately, I think that what NPSA have written is necessary. Although much of the advice on procedure should already be in place in departments, the SoR has heard anecdotal evidence that says many radiological reports lie unreported - which is against the IR(ME)R regulations.
“The safer practice notice is particularly good at detailing the responsibilities of the referrer as well as radiology/radiography staff and in highlighting to patients that they should expect a result from their imaging examination.”
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