Natural language processing in radiology: Clinical applications and future directions.

Natural language processing (NLP) is a wide range of techniques that allows computers to interact with human text. Applications of NLP in everyday life include language translation aids, chat bots, and text prediction. It has been increasingly utilized in the medical field with increased reliance on electronic health records.

Impact of Radiologist-Driven Change-Order Requests on Outpatient CT and MRI Examinations.

Purpose: To assess impact of electronic medical record-embedded radiologist-driven change-order request on outpatient CT and MRI examinations.

Methods: Outpatient CT and MRI requests where an order change was requested by the protocoling radiologist in our tertiary care center, from April 11, 2017, to January 3, 2018, were analyzed. Percentage and categorization of requested order change, provider acceptance of requested change, patient and provider demographics, estimated radiation exposure reduction, and cost were analyzed.

Clinical Decision Support for Ordering CTA-PE Studies in the Emergency Department-A Pilot on Feasibility and Clinical Impact in a Tertiary Medical Center.

Purpose: To determine the feasibility and impact of Clinical Decision Support for imaging ordering.

Methods: A survey of 231 emergency providers identified Computed tomography angiography (CTA)-Pulmonary embolism (PE) as an overutilized study. We developed an algorithm that combined established risk scores to stratify patients for PE work-up (recommendations: CTA, D-dimer or no further testing); the algorithm was integrated into the Epic Radiology Information Ordering System.

Benefit of a Visual Aid in the Management of Moderate-Severity Contrast Media Reactions.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare management of moderate-severity reactions with and without a visual aid or flowchart in contrast medium reaction simulations.

Subjects And Methods: All attending radiologists and trainees were requested to participate in a contrast medium reaction simulation program, including a moderate-severity reaction scenario, and were randomized to groups having or not having a visual aid. The time to administer intramuscular (IM) epinephrine via automated injector and errors in administration were recorded.

JOURNAL CLUB: Benefit of Epinephrine Autoinjector for Treatment of Contrast Reactions: Comparison of Errors, Administration Times, and Provider Preferences.

Objective: Given the rarity of contrast reactions in practice, most radiologists have little to no experience in their management, and errors are common. The purpose of this study was to compare treatment of a moderate-severity reaction with intramuscular epinephrine by either the traditional manual method of drawing up and delivering epinephrine with a needle and syringe or the use of an epinephrine autoinjector.

Subjects And Methods: All diagnostic radiologists at the study institution were requested to participate in an annual contrast reaction simulation program, which consisted of three simulation scenarios in a high-fidelity simulation laboratory.

High-Fidelity Contrast Reaction Simulation Training: Performance Comparison of Faculty, Fellows, and Residents.

Purpose: Reactions to contrast material are uncommon in diagnostic radiology, and vary in clinical presentation from urticaria to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Prior studies have demonstrated a high error rate in contrast reaction management, with smaller studies using simulation demonstrating variable data on effectiveness. We sought to assess the effectiveness of high-fidelity simulation in teaching contrast reaction management for residents, fellows, and attendings.