International Radiology Quality Network Announcement

4/6/2008

  ANNOUNCEMENT 

 The International Radiology Quality Network (IRQN) announces a worldwide benchmarking initiative on the turn around times (TATs) for radiology reports.

The IRQN is a network of organizations. Its members include: American College of Radiology, Asian and Oceanian Society in Radiology, European Society of Radiology, Inter-American College of Radiology, International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists, International Society of Radiology, Japan Radiological Society, Radiological Society of North America, Royal College of Radiologists and The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.

 The network’s objective is to promote quality in radiology through collaboration, experience sharing and mutual assistance. Its current activities include:

·          An International Clinical Teleradiology Standards Workgroup;

·          A Performance Metrics and Indicators Project;

·          A Quality Improvement in Practices Program in collaboration with the JACR; and

·          An awareness program.

 The Performance Metrics and Indicators Project commenced in 2007. The TATs for radiology reports over a one month period were selected as the metrics to be benchmarked. Thirteen institutions from three continents took part in a trial last year. Based on the trial experience, data collection and methodology are being refined. RIS vendors provide TAT data differently; e.g. either as % reported in 24, 48 or 72 hours or the average time required to generate a report in-hours or after-hours. We will collaborate with the industry leaders to harmonize these data in future software updates to facilitate and streamline benchmarking.

 We are gearing up to launch the Performance Metrics and Indicators Project later this year and are aiming at 100 participating facilities world wide. The TAT data required is a small subset of the routine statistics generated by the facility’s RIS at the end of each month. Therefore, the additional effort for the facility is minimal. Participation is voluntary and will be based on RIS vendors’ introduction, direct recruitment through members of the IRQN Performance Metrics and Indicators Workgroup and newsletters.

 This IRQN initiative will provide us with a better insight into the performance of different types of facilities across the globe. Each facility can benchmark its performance against other similar facilities and identify areas of improvement. Your facility’s participation will be acknowledged. Please be reassured that the data collected will remain confidential. After analysis, each participating facility will receive a report containing its own and de-identified aggregated data for comparison.

 Your contribution to this global collaboration is greatly appreciated! If you and your facility are willing to contribute to this initiative, please indicate your interest together with the name of your facility and the contact details for the principle liaison person to Laura Coombs Ph.D. at: lcoombs@acr.org by 31^st July 2008. We will communicate and provide your principle liaison person with project details which will include the sampling month and a concise data sheet to be completed.

 We trust that the project will commence in a timely manner and look forward to hearing from and working with you in the very near future.

 The Performance Metrics and Indicators Project Workgrou
International Radiology Quality Network