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Clinically significant radiograph misinterpretations at an emergency medicine residency program
M C Gratton1, J A Salomone, W A Watson
1Department of Emergency Health Services, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Annals of Emergency Medicine
|May 1, 1990
Summary
Radiographic misinterpretation rates in emergency medicine residency programs were studied. Facial films showed higher error rates, but no significant differences were found across physician training levels.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Radiology
- Medical Education
Background:
- Radiographic misinterpretation rates are used for quality assurance in emergency departments.
- These rates have not been previously defined for emergency medicine residency programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define misinterpretation rates for an emergency medicine residency program.
- To compare rates among different radiographic studies.
- To determine differences based on physician training level.
Main Methods:
- A total of 12,395 radiographic studies interpreted by emergency physicians over 12 months were analyzed.
- Radiologist interpretations served as the standard for correctness.
- Clinical significance of discrepancies was prospectively determined by faculty.
Main Results:
- A 3.4% total error rate and a 2.8% clinically significant error rate were identified.
- Significant differences in misinterpretation rates existed among radiographic studies (P < .0005), notably higher for facial films (9%).
- No significant differences in error rates were found among different physician training levels (P = .421).
Conclusions:
- Radiographic misinterpretation rates can serve as a quality assurance tool in emergency medicine residency training.
- Educational efforts should target radiographic studies with higher error rates, such as facial films.
- Faculty review may mitigate differences in misinterpretation rates across training levels.