Clinical impact of radiograph misinterpretation in a pediatric ED and the effect of physician training level. Am J Emerg Med 1995 May;13(3):262-4
Date
05/01/1995Pubmed ID
7755814DOI
10.1016/0735-6757(95)90196-5Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0029019714 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 39 CitationsAbstract
Radiograph interpretation in the pediatric emergency department (ED) is commonly performed by pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) attendings or physicians-in-training. This study examines the effect of physician training level on radiograph interpretation and the clinical impact of false-negative radiograph interpretations. Data were collected on 1,471 radiographs of the chest, abdomen, extremity, lateral neck, and cervical spine interpreted by PEM attendings, one PEM fellow, one physician assistant, and emergency medicine, pediatric and family practice residents. Two hundred radiographs (14%) were misinterpreted, including 141 chest (16%), 24 extremity (8%), 20 abdomen (12%), 14 lateral neck (18%), and 1 cervical spine radiograph (2%). Physicians-in-training misinterpreted 16% of their radiographs versus 11% for PEM attendings (P = .01). Twenty (1.4%) radiographs had clinically significant (false-negative) misinterpretations, including 1.7% of physician-in-training and 0.8% of attending interpretations (P = 0.15). No morbidity resulted from the delay in correct interpretation. Radiograph misinterpretation by ED physicians occurs but is unlikely to result in significant morbidity.
Author List
Walsh-Kelly CM, Melzer-Lange MD, Hennes HM, Lye P, Hegenbarth M, Sty J, Starshak RAuthor
Marlene D. Melzer-Lange MD Adjunct Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Diagnostic ErrorsEducational Status
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Service, Hospital
False Negative Reactions
Humans
Medical Staff, Hospital
Pediatrics
Prospective Studies
Radiology