Impact of Automated Transfer of Semi-Automated Segmentation and Structured Report Rule Requirements on Cardiac MRI Report Quality, Standardization, and Efficiency.

Clinical reporting of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging exams is commonly performed with a dictation approach which requires great care to capture both consistent and comprehensive data. We sought to transform the reporting process by utilizing a structured report framework for reporting standardization, by incorporating automated transfer of data semi-automated segmentation tools for efficiency, and rule-based reporting requirements to improve quality and standardization. Interfaces between the applications used to schedule and protocol exams and to analyze the acquired images were created to bring the source information directly into the structured reporting environment. The physicians reporting CMR were surveyed to determine satisfaction and improved efficiency with the new process through self-reported reporting time. Quality improvement was assessed by examining the consistency of reported parameters with the inclusion of rule-based requirements. The designed structured reporting process with automated measurements and rule-based requirements resulted in significant improvement in report efficiency and quality.