title: Effect of Template Reporting of Brain MRIs for Multiple Sclerosis on Report Thoroughness and Neurologist-Rated Quality: Results of a Prospective Quality Improvement Project.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of structured reporting templates on the objective and subjective quality of radiology reports for brain MRIs in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  A HIPAA-compliant prospective quality improvement initiative was undertaken to develop and implement a 12-item structured reporting template for brain MRI examinations in patients with known or suspected MS based on published guidelines. Reports created 1 year before implementing the template served as the baseline. A random sample of 10 template and 10 non-template reports was sent to five neurologists outside the study institution with MS expertise, who reviewed the reports for comprehensiveness and quality. The number of MS-relevant elements in template and non-template reports were compared with unpaired t tests. Proportions were compared with χ2and Fisher exact tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 63 reports in the pre-template period and 93 reports in the post-template period. Use of the template increased over time in the post-template period (P = .04). All 12 MS-relevant findings were addressed more often and with less variability in template reports: (11.1 ± 0.7 findings versus 5.8 ± 2.2 findings in non-template reports, P < .001). Neurologists were more likely to give the template reports the highest positive rating (56% [107/190] versus 28% [56/199], P < .001) and less likely to give the template reports a lower rating (7% [13/190] versus 15% [29/199], P = .01) compared with the non-template reports.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Template reporting of brain MRI examinations increases the rate at which MS-relevant findings are included in the report. Standardized reports are preferred by neurologists with MS expertise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Electronic address: elliot.dickerson@ucsf.edu.
authors.forename: Elliot
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dickerson
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Michigan Radiology Quality Collaborative, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Davenport
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Faiz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Syed
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Stuve
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic, Mellen Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Rinker
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia.
authors.forename: Myla D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Benjamin M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Michigan Radiology Quality Collaborative, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Bradley R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Foerster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000592:standards*; D000072141:Neurologists; D011446:Prospective Studies; D058996:Quality Improvement; D014481:United States
keywords: Radiology templates; multiple sclerosis; quality improvement; radiology report; template reporting