Routine Use of Structured Reporting in Whole-body Trauma CT Facilitates Quality Improvement

Purpose Structured reporting (SR) is increasingly used. So far, there is minimal experience with SR in whole-body computed tomography (WBCT). The aim of this study was to investigate the value of routine use of SR in WBCT in trauma with a focus on reporting time, reporting errors, and referrer satisfaction. Materials and Methods Reporting time and reporting errors of CT reports were prospectively quantified for residents and board-certified radiologists 3 months before and for 6 months after implementation of a structured report in the clinical routine. Referrer satisfaction was prospectively quantified by means of a survey before and after the implementation period of SR using a 5-point Likert scale. Before and after results were compared to determine the effect of structured reporting on WBCT in trauma at our institution. Results The mean reporting time was lower when using SR (65 +/- 52 min. vs. 87 +/- 124 min., p = .25). After 4 months, the median reporting time was significantly lower with SR (p = .02). Consequently, the rate of reports that were finished within one hour rose from 55.1 % to 68.3 %. Likewise, reporting errors decreased (12.6 % vs. 8.4 %, p = .48). Residents and board-certified radiologists reported fewer errors when using SR with 16.4 % vs. 12.6 % and 8.8 % vs. 2.7 %, respectively. General referrer satisfaction improved (1.7 +/- 0.8 vs. 1.5 +/- 1.1, p = .58). Referrers graded improvements for standardization of reports (2.2 +/- 1.1 vs. 1.3 +/- 1.1, p = .03), consistency of report structure (2.1 +/- 1.1 vs. 1.4 +/- 1.1, p = .09), and retrievability of relevant pathologies (2.1 +/- 1.2 vs. 1.6 +/- 1.1, p = .32). Conclusion SR has the potential to facilitate process improvement for WBCT in trauma in the daily routine with a reduction of reporting time and reporting mistakes while increasing referrer satisfaction. Key Points: 1. SR for WBCT in trauma is feasable in clinical routine. 2. Reporting time in WBCT in trauma decreases by SR. 3. SR for WBCT in trauma has the potential to decreasereporting mistakes. 4. SR for WBCT in trauma might increase referrer satisfaction