A New Emerging Role of Clinical Pharmacist in Radiology Department- Reporting Errors and Clinical Intervention by Clinical Pharmacist

Abstract

Radiology department will provide a variety of inpatient and outpatient services. These services use medical imaging such as radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography, and ultrasound. Error in radiology department implies an incorrect interpretation of an imaging study. To improve safety, error-reporting strategies should include identifying errors, admitting mistakes, correcting unsafe conditions, and reporting systems improvements to stakeholders. Reducing errors will improve patient care, may reduce costs and will improve the image of the hospital. To identify reporting errors in CT, MRI and x ray in a tertiary care hospital and assess the role of clinical pharmacist in reducing the reporting errors. In this study patients who were referred to undergo CT scan, MRI and x ray were taken in to the study. Duration of study was 8 months. Patients reports were taken and reporting errors were noted in the respective data collection form reporting errors was identified and analyzed. In the present study very less error reports were identified which shows the regular monitoring of the clinical pharmacist, results in the accurate diagnosis of the patient and accurate treatment plan that reflects the health care practice in a hospital. Error in reports can cause wrong diagnosis and which may result in false treatment plan. So identification of errors in reports by the health care professional (pharmacist) at the basic level before going for final assessment of the condition may improve patient care, reduce healthcare cost and time for re do’s. This also creates a new task for the clinical pharmacist.