Reducing radiology report addenda using provisionally signed status.

INTRODUCTION TO THE PROBLEM WE ADDRESSED Radiology reports provide effective communication about imaging studies or procedures between interpreting radiologists and the referring clinical providers responsible for patient care. The reports also serve to document, in patients’ medical records, the relevant imaging findings and impressions of imaging studies for potential future review. Effective communication inherent to the radiology report should be tailored to satisfy the need for timeliness, support the role of the interpreting physician as a consultant by encouraging physician communication, and minimize the risk for communication errors [1]. When new information about a particular imaging study arises and becomes known to the interpreting radiologist after the radiology report has been signed, an addendum to the original report may be issued. Addenda may convey a wide range of new information not included in the original report, including new findings on the imaging study not originally detected, a newly available comparison study that alters a radiologist’s impression or recommendations on the original study, correction of a previous technical descriptor, and much more. It is usually up to the discretion of the original interpreting radiologist whether an addendum is necessary. Despite serving an important role, addenda can be problematic or even disruptive unless appropriately managed [2]. If an addendum is issued and it conveys a new finding or impression that is of high clinical significance, a new communication