What Makes Our Radiology Reports Different

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Uncertainty at work isn’t a novel emotion. Plenty of people deal with challenging projects, unclear decisions, and even a little bit of [imposter syndrome](https://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2018/09/imposter-syndrome).

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But, when you work in veterinary medicine, apprehension and ambiguity do more than keep you up at night. They can quite literally mean the difference between life and death for your patients.

When you head home at night, you aren’t obsessing over how you worded an email—you’re second-guessing whether you diagnosed heart failure correctly or if you should’ve performed a different test.

The mental burden and strain for people who work in veterinary medicine are real. Combine that skyrocketing stress with a high degree of empathy and huge student debt load, and it’s no wonder that the suicide rate among veterinary professionals is so high.

In fact, [data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/p1220-veterinarians-suicide.html) found that male veterinarians were 2.1 times as likely to die from suicide when compared with the general population. Female veterinarians were 3.5 times as likely.

Those statistics are alarming, and they bring us right to the heart of why we started Radimal: to offer support, boost confidence, reduce doubt, and provide peace of mind to today’s veterinarians.

## **So...what is Radimal?**

Radimal provides solutions for the numerous radiology problems that veterinarians encounter. We’re sure at least one of these scenarios sounds familiar:

*   You’re a general practitioner who takes X-rays in-house and needs to review them yourself, even though you may have limited radiology training

*   You send X-rays to a teleradiology company, but they’re backlogged and you can’t get the reports you need until days (or even weeks) later

*   You feel like you’re shooting in the dark with X-rays, and it’s having an impact not only on your patient care but also your mental health and stress levels

Radimal builds software that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze X-rays and provide radiology reports within minutes (not days).

We’ve shown our machine learning system a huge number of X-rays in order to teach it what a normal X-ray looks like—whether it’s of the thorax, abdomen, pelvis, or something else. When you submit your X-ray to Radimal AI, it automatically compares it to all of the X-rays it has already seen and provides you with a detailed radiology report directly to your email in minutes.

Rest assured that Radimal AI doesn’t exist to replace radiologists. There will always be complex cases that require a human eye and Radimal also offers a full consult service.

Rather, Radimal AI provides added peace of mind for veterinarians. When they do their own interpretation, they can quickly see if Radimal’s analysis backs up their diagnosis and instincts. Or, perhaps it will flag something that they didn’t notice on their own.

Think of Radimal AI as another tool in your toolkit—an extra gut check to confirm your own findings so that you can go home at night feeling confident in your decisions.

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## **Who’s behind Radimal?**

Radimal was created by three co-founders: Alan Weissman, Andrew Weissman, and Ben Porter.

Alan comes from the world of startups and technology where he has designed artificial intelligence for everything from automated chatbots for consumer brands to physical tagging security for government and industry.

Ben brings extensive experience in strategy and business development to the table from a career at several of the world’s largest software companies.

Andrew is a board-certified veterinary radiologist (DACVR) with 10 years of experience in radiology. Like many veterinarians, he was carrying a heavy caseload and frequently ended the workday feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and burned out.

At one point, Alan (who is Andrew’s brother) suggested that they do something about it. Veterinary medicine—especially when it comes to technology—is often well behind other industries, and Alan knew there had to be a better, more streamlined way to address these common issues.

**So, Radimal was born.**

While our algorithms are smart (and getting smarter every single day), we’re passionate about doing everything we can to help veterinarians feel more confident and less stressed. That’s why Radimal is 100% human supported. If you want to ask a DACVR a question, it’s easy to click “reply” on your report. You’ll get a fast response from a real, human DACVR right away.

## **What’s next for Radimal?**

Radimal recently launched in 2020, and we’re looking forward to making a real difference in the lives, workload, and mental health of veterinary professionals.

While these problems don’t have quick or easy solutions, we’re thrilled to be a part of taking a step in the right direction toward happier vets and healthier pets.

**Curious about Radimal?** [Schedule a demo with us to learn more](https://www.radimal.ai/signup?utm_source=blog)**.**


Why We Started Radimal (and Why It’s About So Much More Than Radiology Reports)

No radiologist on staff? Teleradiology report taking too long to get back? Fluffy’s owner wants to know NOW if he needs emergency surgery? Here are a few tips to help ensure you are set up for success when interpreting your practice’s radiographs:

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## **1. Turn down the lights**

Are you trying to interpret an x-ray in the middle of the treatment area? Try and find a place where you can briefly dim or turn off the lights. The room doesn't need to be (and ideally shouldn’t be) completely dark. A small amount of ambient or indirect lighting works best. Sit at a chair that puts the screens at eye-level. If necessary, rotate the images so that they’re facing the correct way. Set up your software so that you can see at least 2 images at once so that you can compare the lateral to the VD. Do your best to not get distracted and take 2-3 uninterrupted minutes to interpret the radiographs.

## **2. Take that additional view**

All studies should be at least two views, ideally three. We have all seen an example of a non-displaced spinal fracture that you could only see on one view, or a foreign body that was only visible on the left lateral projection, etc. Orthogonal views are a valuable part of your diagnostic toolkit. Each projection is an opportunity to gain more information to help you guide next steps and make the best treatment plans. Remember, if Lucky is trying to murder your staff for that V/D, remember sedation is your friend!

## **3. Use appropriate positioning**

Do your techs have training in appropriate positioning? Having straight, collimated radiographs makes a huge difference when it comes time for interpretation. Taking good quality radiographs takes time and experience. Get a poster or textbook that shows your staff how to position patients and can serve as a reference while performing studies. Spend time reviewing the studies with your staff and provide feedback (e.g., pull the legs forward) to help them get the studies that you want and need. Training and learning together with your techs will lead to better quality radiographs and improve patient outcomes.

## **4. Read the entire image**

So, you found the fracture you were expecting based on your PE but missed the nodule on the edge of the image? This error is often explained by “**satisfaction of search**”, an all-too-common phenomenon in radiology, whereby the reader prematurely ends their radiographic interpretation after finding the lesion that they expect to be the primary problem. This can result in missing important information in your radiographs and can lead to some embarrassing moments. One way to avoid this is to develop a routine when you read cases, and do not deviate from it. For example, a thorax checklist could be, “heart, lungs, mediastinum, pleural space, musculoskeletal”. Write a list and put it up on the wall where you review x-rays. This will help remind you to evaluate each organ as you interpret the images.

## **5. Catalog that weird case**

Take some time to make a log of cases to refer back to. Writing down cases that have clear diagnoses or ones that initially stumped you so that you can compare them to radiographs from a different patient in the future can save you time and help you feel more confident in your assessment. Young dogs with open physes are always good ones to save for comparison at a later date.

## **6. Practice, practice, practice!**

Nothing can take the place of experience. Invest in a good atlas (see above) and look through it. Learn from your colleagues' cases or attend a radiology CE. Even if you send your radiographs out to a teleradiologist, take the time to interpret them yourself before sending them, and then check to see if you were correct. Radiology is mostly about pattern recognition. The more you see, the more you know!

Here are two great textbooks to help your interpretations:

*   [Atlas of Normal Radiographic Anatomy & Anatomic Variants](https://www.amazon.com/Radiographic-Anatomic-Variants-Robertson-2010-12-21/dp/B01JNZZWF0/ref=sr\_1\_2?dchild=1\&keywords=thrall+normal+radiographic+anatomy\&qid=1613996919\&sr=8-2)



*   [Atlas of Interpretive Radiographic Anatomy](https://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Interpretative-Radiographic-Anatomy-Dog/dp/1405138998/ref=sr\_1\_1?dchild=1\&keywords=thrall+radiograph\&qid=1613996619\&sr=8-1)

> This book is particularly helpful in showing normal anatomy in juvenile patients at various ages. For example, have a limping 16-week-old puppy and you’re not sure what the elbow should look like? Could that opacity be a normal thymus? This is your text!

## **7.** **Have Radimal read your radiographs for you**

Whether it's Radimal teleradiology or the Radimal AI reporting, your job is to work with a radiographic interpretation to diagnose and treat your patient. Save yourself the interpretation time and let us help you get your patient the treatment they need.

7 Easy Tips to Improve Your Radiographic Interpretations

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If you work in an emergency or specialty referral hospital you may be lucky enough to work with an in-house radiologist. For the record, everyone else reading this article is jealous of your ability to walk down the hall and get an immediate radiology consult.

The next best thing to having an in-house radiologist is using a teleradiology company. However, selecting the one that works best for your practice can be challenging. There are numerous teleradiology companies out there. Some companies are comprised of your 1 local radiologist and others are large companies that employ many radiologists worldwide.

If you have tried to compare radiology companies and feel frustrated you are not alone. It is hard to compare apples to apples as there are many different products and options available to veterinarians from various different companies.

Not to mention, the caseload of radiographic studies being submitted for interpretation has increased dramatically in recent years. In some cases, there are not enough radiologists to read all the cases and turnaround times have been extended at many companies.

This article will answer which teleradiology company is best for you by asking you to consider the following questions. Use these questions as a guide to finding the teleradiology company that is the best fit for your practice’s needs.

**What is the General Interpretation Turnaround Time?**

General reporting times can vary from a few hours to 5-7 days. Ask yourself, what timeframe best meets your practice needs. This is an important question and the answer really depends upon your caseload type. But it also can depend upon your clientele, how you staff doctors and when they need the report by, and your clinic type. Make sure to determine if the company guarantees the stated turnaround time. If the turnaround time is not met, what is the consequence?

**What is the Cost of Teleradiology?**

Cost is an important factor in determining which teleradiology company you choose for your practice. Radiology report pricing has a wide range but is generally in the $40-80 per case range. This is typical for a radiologist’s interpretation of your film during normal business hours.

There is a balancing act with the cost. Generally, a faster interpretation turnaround time will cost more money. So, when you are considering the turnaround time above, this will go hand in hand with the cost to your practice.

Make sure to also consider how you will pass this cost on to your clients. With appropriate education, most clients will agree to teleradiology consults. Another factor to consider when determining how to charge your clients will depend on the fee structure of the company you use. When selecting a teleradiology company ask if they charge per case or per image. Is there tiered pricing based on turnaround time, etc.? If the teleradiology company’s fee schedule is confusing, it can be difficult to determine how to charge your clients appropriately.

**What Number of Images Are Considered a “Case?”**

When evaluating different teleradiology companies consider how many images you typically take per case. Of course, the number of images is going to vary immensely depending upon the type of study but consider your average.

Do you typically have a study with less than 5 images per case? Maybe you like to send 10 or more images to the radiologist per case. Either way is ok, but remember that most teleradiology companies have a different pricing schedule based on the number of total images submitted.

**Does the Company Offer STAT Reporting?**

Consider if you need the option of STAT reporting in your practice. Do you ever need a 30, 60, or 120-minute time frame for a radiologist report being available to you? Maybe you would like to select this option all the time or only for those really urgent cases.

STAT reports come at a premium with an additional cost of 30 to 100 or more dollars per case. There are definitely many times when the STAT report is indicated, be sure to determine how you will charge the client. Also, be sure to ask the teleradiology company what percentage of STAT cases are actually read in the requested amount of time. And finally, be sure to ask the company what happens if the STAT turnaround time is not met.

**What Hours is Teleradiology Available?**

Consider your practice and your operating hours. If you are an ER or urgent care facility you are likely working late nights and weekends. Be sure to verify what hours the company is open and able to produce reports. It is wise to specifically ask about overnight and Sunday coverage.

**Are the Radiologists Helpful?**

The most important question to ask yourself when considering a teleradiology company is the following: Are the reports that you will receive helpful to you? Will the reports be clear and concise?

There are a variety of styles of radiographic reports. Some companies give verbose paragraph-type reports with treatment recommendations while others are briefer and to the point. Which of these styles fits with you and your way of practice?

To determine how the company operates, ask to see a sample report so you can get a feel of what to expect. Also, enquire if once a report is received would you be able to get in touch with a radiologist in a timely manner? Would you be able to discuss your case and any concerns you have regarding the report or your case?

**Select Your Teleradiology Company**

Once you have evaluated different companies using the above criteria, you will be able to select a teleradiology company that works well for your practice and clientele. You will have access to a radiologist, and that is pretty close to having an in-house radiologist down the hall.

Once you start receiving those reports, remember to ask these questions again. Ask yourself if the reports that you receive are helpful. Are these clear reports that you receive on time. Likely they will be great, as you have done your homework ahead of time.

[Sign up](https://www.radimal.ai/signup?utm_source=blog) for Radimal today and let our fast fast and reliable reports help you!


How to Choose the Teleradiology Service That's Right for Your Practice

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## Our top pick for a free, case-based image interpretation website

This website has it all--

*   Cats, dogs, equine, exotic

*   Radiographs, ultrasound, CT/MRI

*   Variety of skill levels

<http://www.veterinaryradiology.net/>

The website is run by Dr. Allison Zwingenberger, a veterinary radiologist at the University of California, Davis.

> Radiology is mostly about pattern recognition. The more you see, the more you know.

The website is case-based and has clearly labeled images. You can click to see radiographic findings, diagnosis, AND a list of differential diagnoses for that case. In particular, we find that the differential diagnoses section is uniquely valuable, as it helps to remind you that many clinical diagnoses may look similar on imaging, and prevents you from only focusing on the "right" answer for that particular case. Knowing these broad differential lists will help guide additional diagnostics and treatments in your own patients. Additionally, creating an account on this website provides access to an active "comments" section associated with each study, where users can post their thoughts and questions for the case. These comments are often responded to with helpful tips from a radiologist.

What we love about this site:

*   There are real, everyday useful cases on here. It's not filled with zebras or archaic information.

*   The active comments section is a low-risk way to post your own findings and allows you to think about why you do or don't agree with other people's interpretations.

*   There are SO many cases. This website has been operational since 2007.



Blog

What Makes Our Radiology Reports Different

Why We Started Radimal (and Why It’s About So Much More Than Radiology Reports)

7 Easy Tips to Improve Your Radiographic Interpretations

How to Choose the Teleradiology Service That's Right for Your Practice

Best Online Resource for Practicing Your Image Interpretation