Summary
Accurate, timely interpretations of radiologic studies by board-certified radiologists are necessary to provide the best patient care and promote patient safety. This can only be accomplished if attending radiologists are interpreting studies while clinical care is being provided. Emergency physicians should insist on timely attending radiologist interpretations of radiological studies, even during off-hours.
Background
In order to provide the best patient care and promote patient safety, accurate, timely interpretations of radiologic studies by board-certified radiologists are necessary. A former President of the American College of Radiology wrote, “The crux of the problem is this: How on the one hand can [radiologists] espouse the principle that the patient is best served when the radiologist interprets films, and on the other hand infer that the principle applies only during certain hours?”(1) Emergency physicians should insist on real-time interpretation of special studies by board-certified radiologists.