Abstract
The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of electronic signature on report turnaround time. The Radiology Information System (RIS) database was interrogated to obtain a file containing all examinations recorded within a one-month period. Two sectors were specifically studied: abdominal ultrasound and chest radiography. Each of these sectors had one reader per day. The periods studied were October 2001 (before implementation of electronic signature) and February 2002 (3 months after electronic signature implementation). For the abdominal ultrasound examinations, the median time from transcription to final signature decreased from 11 days to 3 days with the introduction of electronic signature (P < 0.001). For the chest radiographs, the median time from transcription to final signature decreased from 10 days to 5 days with the introduction of electronic signature (P < 0.001). Electronic signature significantly shortens the time interval between transcription and finalization of radiology reports.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
BI Reiner EL Siegel FJ Hooper et al. (1998) ArticleTitleEffect of film-based versus filmless operation on the productivity of CT technologists. Radiology 207 481–485 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c3jvVemuw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9577498
A Mehta K Dreyer G Boland et al. (2000) ArticleTitleDo picture archiving and communication systems improve report turnaround times? J Digit Imaging 13 IssueIDSuppl 1 105–107 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3cvotVOitw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10847375
SG Langer (2002) ArticleTitleImpact of speech recognition on radiologist productivity. J Digit Imaging 15 203–209 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s10278-002-0014-7 Occurrence Handle12415463
CW Mattern BF King Jr NJ Hangiandreou et al. (1999) ArticleTitleElectronic imaging impact on image and report turnaround times. J Digit Imaging 12 IssueIDSuppl 1 155–159 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1M3ntlOntg%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10342198
JP Crabbe CL Frank WW Nye (1994) ArticleTitleImproving report turnaround time: an integrated method using data from a radiology information system. AJR Am J Roentgenol 163 IssueID6 1503–1507
MS Frank AH Rowberg (1993) ArticleTitleAuthentication and management of radiologic reports: value of a computer workstation integrated with a radiology information system. AJR Am J Roentgenol 161 1309–1311
E Seltzer P Kelly DF Adams et al. (1997) ArticleTitleExpediting the turnaround of radiology reports in a teaching hospital setting. AJR Am J Roentgenol 168 889–893
B Gale Y Safriel A Lukban et al. (2001) ArticleTitleRadiology report production times: voice recognition vs. transcription. Radiol Manage 23 18–22 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M3oslaluw%3D%3D
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lepanto, L. Impact of Electronic Signature on Radiology Report Turnaround Time. J Digit Imaging 16, 306–309 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-003-1730-3
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-003-1730-3