University of Colorado radiologist adult contrast reaction smartcard.

THE PROBLEM At the University of Colorado, we have designed the Radiologist Adult Contrast Reaction Smartcard to facilitate rapid and accuate radiologist response to contrast eactions. In the radiology suite, here are myriad potential patientelated reactions radiologists are exected to treat, including nausea, asovagal events, hives, bronchopasm, angioedema, and cardiovasular collapse. As these events are are, radiologists are often suboptially prepared to diagnose and reat these patients [1]. Additionlly, anaphylactoid reactions can rogress rapidly, and early interention is critical. Since the introduction of low smolar, nonionic iodinated conrast, the individual risk of adverse eactions following intravenous adinistration of iodinated contrast as dramatically decreased [1-3]. owever, the absolute number of ontrast reactions encountered in he radiology department has inreased, and this is directly related o increases in imaging volume [4]. lthough severe, anaphylactoid reations to nonionic intravenous conrast remain rare, at an incidence of pproximately 1:2,500, less severe, oderate events are not infrequent nd occur with approximately 1 in 50 injections [5]. The overall infrequency of lifehreatening reactions to intraveous iodinated contrast presents a erious clinical issue as radiologists ack practice-based expertise in anagement of severe contrastelated complications. However, a adiologist is usually the first physi-