2015 AMCLC Open-Microphone Session: Improving the IQ (Information Quality) of What We Do.

Abstract

Each year an open-microphone session is hosted by the Council Steering Committee. The committee invited an expert panel to discuss the use of effective communication in appropriate procedure selection and methods and resources to communicate the results of procedures performed in an actionable and clear manner to referring clinicians and patients, as well as downstream data systems. The ACR is actively encouraging radiologists to leverage existing and new technologies to increase their visibility in the health care system. Key features in Imaging 3.0 are results reporting through actionable reports, decision support for results reporting, guidelines for recommendations, tools for actionable reports, and tracking a radiologist's recommendations. The final radiology report is an essential product of our service, but it is increasingly clear that the noninterpretive components of our profession will add the most value to patient care. The radiology report is not the only evidence of our work. Nonetheless, the information quality and content of the radiology report can and must be improved so that it can add value and clinical usefulness toward excellent patient care. We must use appropriate tools and "best knowledge" to deliver actionable and value-added high-quality reports.