title: Cranial CT interpretation by senior emergency department staff.
abstract: The aims of the present study were to determine the rate of misinterpretation of non-contrast cranial CT scans by emergency specialists and trainees compared with specialist radiologists, and the proportion of misinterpretations that is consequential. A 12-month prospective blinded cohort study was performed. One-hundred and ninety of 1,282 scans (14.8%) were misinterpreted, and 78 of these (41.1%) were of potential or actual consequence. We conclude that the performance of senior emergency department staff in non-contrast cranial CT interpretation is no better than moderately good, and a large proportion of misinterpretations are of potential or actual clinical consequence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW, Australia. ArendtsG@sesahs.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arendts
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manovel
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed