Providers' Access of Imaging Versus Only Reports: A System Log File Analysis

J Am Coll Radiol. 2017 Feb;14(2):217-223. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2016.06.014. Epub 2016 Jul 28.

Abstract

Background: An increasing number of technologies allow providers to access the results of imaging studies. This study examined differences in access of radiology images compared with text-only reports through a health information exchange system by health care professionals.

Methods: The study sample included 157,256 historical sessions from a health information exchange system that enabled 1,670 physicians and non-physicians to access text-based reports and imaging over the period 2013 to 2014. The primary outcome was an indicator of access of an imaging study instead of access of a text-only report. Multilevel mixed-effects regression models were used to estimate the association between provider and session characteristics and access of images compared with text-only reports.

Results: Compared with primary care physicians, specialists had an 18% higher probability of accessing actual images instead of text-only reports (β = 0.18; P < .001). Compared with primary care practice settings, the probability of accessing images was 4% higher for specialty care practices (P < .05) and 8% lower for emergency departments (P < .05). Radiologists, orthopedists, and neurologists accounted for 79% of all the sessions with actual images accessed. Orthopedists, radiologists, surgeons, and pulmonary disease specialists accessed imaging more often than text-based reports only.

Conclusions: Consideration for differences in the need to access images compared with text-only reports based on the type of provider and setting of care are needed to maximize the benefits of image sharing for patient care.

Keywords: Health information technology; computer-assisted; medical specialty; nursing; radiographic image interpretation; radiology; radiology information systems/classification.

MeSH terms

  • Documentation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Electronic Health Records / statistics & numerical data*
  • Health Information Exchange / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data*
  • Information Dissemination / methods
  • Information Storage and Retrieval / methods*
  • New York
  • Radiologists / statistics & numerical data*
  • Radiology Information Systems / statistics & numerical data*
  • Utilization Review