Radiographer Comment on Extremity Trauma Imaging in Australia: Educational Intervention Improves Diagnostic Accuracy.

摘要

In Australia, radiographer commenting is in the scope of practice for diagnostic radiographers; advance practice, such as radiographer reporting (ie, when a definitive clinical diagnostic report is written and entered into the patient’s medical history) was acknowledged by the Australian Institute of Radiography (now the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy) with a summary document and guidelines in September 2014.1 Both approaches are designed to benefit patients and offer high-quality patient-focused care. A formal written radiographer report can replace a traditional radiologist report. Role parameters for Australian radiographers are fluid, with the potential to change and expand. Much discussion has focused on drivers, opportunities, and challenges including health sector reform, cost containment, quality improvement, the provision of patient-focused care, and shortened patient management timelines. Role expansion and advanced radiographer competencies have resulted in service benefits to patients and allow radiographers decisionmaking autonomy and recognized improvement of multiprofessional communication.2 However, with this role expansion, key performance indicators while delivering high-quality imaging services to patients in the emergency department (ED) must be considered and met.