Do Shift Timings Impact Discrepancy Rates?

Background: Emergency radiology is a 24-hour service providing on-the-spot interpretations for the emergency department. With increasing volumes, 24-hour staffing is needed with typical services divided into 3 shifts: daytime (8 AM to 5 PM ), evening (5 PM to 12 AM ), and overnight (12 AM to 8 AM ). Imaging volumes, extended shift lengths, interruptions, routine versus complicated case, and subspecialty fellowship training are all factors relating to imaging discrepancies. Objective: To evaluate the influence of time of day when a study is interpreted on discrepancy rates for common and advanced studies performed in the acute community setting. Design: Retrospective study. Methods: The authors used the databank of a U.S. teleradiology company to retrieve studies during a 4-year period with a preliminary report followed by a final report by the onsite client hospital. Neuroradiology, abdominal radiology, and musculoskeletal radiology studies were included. Teleradiologists were all fe more...