Our hospital has started sending cxr's to another facility for reading. At times they are prompt about getting to them, and there are times that we have to contact supervisors in the hospital to get our dictations. Prior to this I felt comfortable about approaching a radiologist regarding picc tip positioning, but I am meeting some resistance now. I guess the ones in the hospital aren't getting paid for their opinions, but I hate to leave without knowing that it is in a safe position. Does anyone have this problem? Any suggestions?
Greg
in our facility, picc RNs can login to view the x-ray online. and we also have the code to access/listen dictation over the phone if it's not online.
I make sure the picc-ordering residents check the x-ray.
What a pain!
When we've had difficulty even with our in-house radiology staff, I've collected a paper trail that showed how long that patients' treatment was delayed (translates directly into $$$), and then went up the chain through managers, Medical Directors and then over to Risk Management/Quality Department. The squeaky wheel phenomena works in cases like this. Keep pushing - it's a patient safety issue.
It's also written into hospital radiology policy that PICC readings are to be considered 'stat'.
Most of this problem I believe will go away when we're reading our own PICC tip films.
Mari Cordes, BS RN
Mari Cordes, BS RNIII VA-BC
Vascular Access Department
University of Vermont Medical Center