Diagnostic radiology reporting and communication: The ACR Guideline

The ACR adopted its “Guideline for Communication: Diagnostic Radiology” in 1991. Since its adoption, the guideline has been the subject of considerable discussion and controversy. In response to more than a decade of debate, the ACR appointed a task force in the summer of 2003 to research and analyze claims and litigation decisions that have been related to the communication or reporting of imaging studies by radiologists. Furthermore, the task force was charged with making recommendations regarding the status and impact of the existing communication guideline. The only specific directions to the task force were to take into account the ACR’s motto, “Quality is our image,” in the recognition that communication plays an essential role in safety and quality. The task force consulted outside legal counsel, reviewed claims data from many sources, and performed a survey of the ACR’s membership. Furthermore, the task force was divided into four working groups to focus on the data and make specific recommendations. The products of the working groups were assembled into a final report that was presented to the ACR Board of Chancellors in the winter of 2004. This report, including five recommendations, and a draft for a new communication guideline were presented to the ACR Council at the annual meeting in May 2004.