Virtual Radiology,
Inc.
Updated April
1, 2005
In recognition
of the fact that rapid and accurate communication of radiology results
is of paramount importance to quality patient care, the following
policy is in place at Virtual Radiology, Inc.:
1. All studies
submitted to Virtual Radiology, Inc. will be interpreted with a
typed report available to the center of origin within 24 hours.
2. If requested,
all STAT examinations will be interpreted on an urgent basis and
in addition to providing a handwritten report, we will contact the
referring physician’s office with the results. A GOOD FAITH EFFORT
WILL BE MADE to contact the physician directly when we are requested
to do so. When we are unable to contact the physician after a good
faith effort, we will send a STAT facsimile report to the physician’s
office and phone the office to notify the appropriate personnel
that the facsimile is in route.
3. When a radiologist
at Virtual Radiology, Inc. identifies a life-threatening finding
or potential life altering finding on an imaging study, we will
MAKE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT to contact the original referring physician
with this information on a STAT basis. When we are unable to contact
the referring physician after a good faith effort has been made,
we will send a handwritten or typed report via facsimile to the
referring physician’s office and will notify by telephone the appropriate
personnel in the referring physician’s office as to the fact that
a facsimile is in route.
4. Virtual Radiology,
Inc. will document when a good faith effort has been made and when
a facsimile has been sent in the final report.
