Improving communication and documentation concerning preliminary and final radiology reports.

The communication and documentation of radiology preliminary and final interpretations for the identification of discrepancies failed to evolve with radiology's transition away from film. Processes should facilitate documentation and distribution of preliminary findings to multiple practitioners in real time and should provide timely communication and documentation of additional findings. The evolution of the electronic medical record and digital radiology images provided an opportunity to establish effective, safe, and efficient methods of communication and documentation.