title: Radiological misinterpretations by emergency physicians in discharged minor trauma patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Unerring radiological interpretation is essential in discharged minor trauma patients without follow-up visits based on the rapid decision of emergency physicians (EPs). Misinterpretation may raise issues concerning patient care, reimbursement and lawsuits. The authors investigated the discrepancies and associated factors in radiological interpretation for discharged trauma patients between EPs and radiologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors included trauma patients who visited the emergency department, from 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2010, and searched for cases showing discrepancy using the 'modified quality assurance model for radiological interpretation'. The overall/clinically significant discrepancy (CSD)/clinically insignificant discrepancy (CinSD) rates were calculated. The authors also looked at the relationship between discrepancies and several factors including age and time of visit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  10,243 cases were related to minor trauma, in which the radiological images were interpreted as normal by EPs. The overall discrepancy, the CSD and CinSD rates were 0.77% (n=79), 0.47% (n=48) and 0.3% (n=31), respectively. No discrepancy was shown to be related to the day or time of visit. The discrepancy rate turned out to be relatively higher with increasing age, and for injuries of the extremities. No associated factors were found between the CSD and CinSD groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite a relatively low CSD rate, careful interpretation is recommended considering age and body areas imaged. A modified model would be needed as a supportive tool for training and improving the quality of care. A further development of the modified system for efficient use of resources will be needed to focus on quality improvement and education in each hospital.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, 126-1 Anam-dong 5-ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Korea. icarusksj@nate.com
authors.forename: Su-Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yun-Sik
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Do-Hyoun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult