Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Journal of the American College of Radiology
Abstract
Objective: Incidental pulmonary nodules (IPNs) are common. Up to 70% are not followed up according to current guidelines. Follow-up recommendations are based on the characteristics of the patient and the IPN. However, many IPNs are incompletely characterized in CT reports. Structured radiology reports have been shown to reduce missing information. We sought to improve IPN reporting by assessing the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a structured dictation template to increase the presence of six key nodule descriptors.
Methods: We performed a mixed methods, pre- and postimplementation assessment. A template was developed with a multidisciplinary group based on Fleischner Society guidelines. A standardized checklist was used to determine the presence of documented descriptors pre- and postimplementation for sequential radiology reports of patients with an IPN present (n = 400 pre-implementation and n = 400 postimplementation) on a CT performed at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System. We conducted qualitative interviews with radiologists (n = 4) and members of the lung nodule tracking team (n = 2) to elicit their experiences of the template implementation process.
Results: The proportion of radiology reports including all six elements increased from 12% to 47% (P < .001). Postimplementation, the template was used in 40% of interpretations involving lung nodules, 67% of follow-up scans, and 8% of initial identifications. Response to the template was overall positive.
Discussion: Use of a dictation template seems to be effective in increasing compliance with full IPN documentation, streamlining the follow-up process. Low utilization rates of the template for initial nodule identification is a limitation, which may be combated through clearer communication and advances in technology.
DOI
10.1016/j.jacr.2019.11.013
Publication Date
2-2020
Keywords
Fleischner Society guidelines, incidental pulmonary nodule, process implementation, standardized reporting
ISSN
1558-349X
Recommended Citation
Aase A, Fabbrini AE, White KM, Averill S, Gravely A, Melzer AC. Implementation of a Standardized Template for Reporting of Incidental Pulmonary Nodules Feasibility, Acceptability, and Outcomes. Journal of the American College of Radiology. 2020; 17(2). doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2019.11.013.
