title: Implementation of a Point-of-Care Radiologist-Technologist Communication Tool in a Quality Assurance Program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We implemented an Image Quality Reporting and Tracking Solution (IQuaRTS), directly linked from the PACS, to improve communication between radiologists and technologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  IQuaRTS launched in May 2015. We compared MRI issues filed in the period before IQuaRTS implementation (May-September 2014) using a manual system with MRI issues filed in the IQuaRTS period (May-September 2015). The unpaired t test was used for analysis. For assessment of overall results in the IQuaRTS period alone, all issues filed across all modalities were included. Summary statistics and charts were generated using Excel and Tableau.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For MRI issues, the number of issues filed during the IQuaRTS period was 498 (2.5% of overall MRI examination volume) compared with 78 issues filed during the period before IQuaRTS implementation (0.4% of total examination volume) (p = 0.0001), representing a 625% relative increase. Tickets that documented excellent work were 8%. Other issues included images not pushed to PACS (20%), film library issues (19%), and documentation or labeling (8%). Of the issues filed, 55% were MRI-related and 25% were CT-related. The issues were stratified across six sites within our institution. Staff requiring additional training could be readily identified, and 80% of the issues were resolved within 72 hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IQuaRTS is a cost-effective online issue reporting tool that enables robust data collection and analytics to be incorporated into quality improvement programs. One limitation of the system is that it must be implemented in an environment where staff are receptive to quality improvement.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, Box 29, New York, NY 10065.
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, Box 29, New York, NY 10065.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Elnajjar
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, Box 29, New York, NY 10065.
authors.forename: C Gregory
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Nyman
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, Box 29, New York, NY 10065.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mair
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, Box 29, New York, NY 10065.
authors.forename: Krishna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Juluru
mesh_terms: D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D000072177:Radiologists; D011873:Radiology Information Systems
keywords: Web tools; open source; point of care; quality improvement; radiologist-technologist communication