Chapter 26 - Emergency Radiology

Abstract

Emergency radiologists frequently encounter challenges and scenarios that require noninterpretive skills, many of which are outside the formal training that exists in most training programs. For radiologists who fail to recognize these scenarios or are poorly equipped to handle the challenges, there can be a significant impact upon patient care and patient safety. The types of scenarios requiring noninterpretive skills are quite varied, ranging from communication and risk management to serving as a chaperone or managing intravenous contrast extravasation, which can make managing them particularly difficult for many radiologists. We have identified many of these scenarios that may occur in emergency radiology and offer key information and guidance that may serve as a resource to help emergency radiologists supplement their interpretive skills. By adding this noninterpretive expertise, emergency radiologists can be better prepared for situations that arise and become even more valuable members of their clinical team.