Evaluate the implementation of a structured report (SR) in a university hospital.

 

A model of a structured report for thyroid sonography was developed according to information gathered from radiologists and endocrinologists working in this field. The report was based on a web platform and installed as a part of a Radiological Information System (RIS) and a Hospital Information System (HIS). The time for the report generation under the two forms was evaluated over a four-month period, two months for each method. After this period, radiologists and requiring physicians were questioned about the two methods of reporting.

For free text, 98 sonograms were reported to have thyroids with nodules in an average time of 8.71 (+/−4.11) minutes, and 59 sonograms of thyroids without nodules were reported in an average time of 4.54 (+/− 3.97) minutes. For SR, 73 sonograms in an average time of 6.08 (+/−3.8) minutes for thyroids with nodules and 3.67 (+/−2.51) minutes for thyroids without nodules. Most of the radiologists (76.2%) preferred the SR, as originally created or with suggested changes. Among endocrinologists, 80% preferred the SR.

From the requiring physicians’ perspective, the SR enabled standardization and improved information transmission. This information is valuable because physicians need reports prepared by radiologists.