Quantitative cancer imaging interpretations remain a challenge for the ever-busy radiologist, but incorporating standardized metrics into reporting may unburden imaging providers and expedite patient care.
Harvard Medical School radiologist, Ritu R. Gill, MD, MPH, made the case Wednesday for standardizing tumor measurements, integrating such information into electronic health records and embedding it within Medical Image Management and Processing Systems.
Doing so, Gill argued in an Academic Radiology editorial, would limit back and forth conversations between rads and oncologists often required to confirm cancer findings and gather metrics needed to assess patients’ response to therapy.
“Standardization of tumor metrics services are needed, and several models have been proposed ranging from patient-centered, to disease-centered to a hybrid model with and without an embedded decision support tool,” Gill explained, adding that these frustrating conversations delay care and may lead to errors in gauging therapeutic responses.
To illustrate his argument, the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center physician pointed to a project that successfully implemented a web-based Quantitative Imaging Analyses Core platform to enhance tumor reporting.
MD Anderson Cancer Center’s QAIC tool includes both a non-board-certified radiology trained graduate and board-certified rad, with the latter required to validate and approve reports. What’s unique is the approach allows the same physician to sign off on the clinical and quantitative document, reducing discrepancy and miscommunication, Gill explained.
And integration within the EHR keeps data in the same workspace, increasing transparency and streamlining care across departments and care sites.
Following this implementation, report turnaround times improved dramatically. This metric has been associated with departmental and hospital revenues, Gill noted.
Furthermore, radiologists will have a chance to refine imaging techniques and understand disease pathophysiology to develop biomarkers that may earlier assess treatment response.
And doing so may help achieve a key visibility goal for the specialty.
In closing, Gill said such systems can “ensure that radiologists continue to be an inherent part of the multidisciplinary teams treating cancer patients.”
Read the entire editorial published April 21 here.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.