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Colorectal Cancer Screening pp 81–96Cite as

Quality Indicators for CT Colonography

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Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) colonography (CTC) provides a minimally invasive examination for the detection of colorectal neoplasia. After the first validation screening trials in early 2000, this technique has begun to transition from academic centers to community practice; however, the lack of reimbursement remains a current barrier. This chapter discusses the recommended, standardized techniques for performing and reporting CTC based on the American College of Radiology (ACR) practice parameters. These guidelines discuss current indications and contraindications, qualifications of interpreting physicians, specification of the examination techniques including low-dose techniques and stool tagging, and communication of results using the CTC reporting and data system (C-RADS) reporting structure for colonic and extra-colonic findings. In addition, this chapter introduces the development of CTC quality metrics, which include both process and outcome measures. The start of the ACR data registry for instituting a cyclical quality improvement program into clinical practice is also discussed.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the efforts of the American College of Radiology NRDR Data Registry staff, including Mythreyi Chatfield and Debapriya Sengupta. We also thank Michael Vannier for his editorial assistance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, SSM St. Joseph West Medical Center, 100 Medical Plaza, 63367, Lake St. Louis, MO, USA

    Elizabeth G. McFarland MD,FACR

  2. Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Judy Yee MD

  3. Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA

    Abraham H. Dachman MC, FACR

  4. Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Paul M. Knechtges PhD

Authors
  1. Elizabeth G. McFarland MD,FACR
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  2. Judy Yee MD
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  3. Abraham H. Dachman MC, FACR
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  4. Paul M. Knechtges PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elizabeth G. McFarland MD,FACR .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

    Aasma Shaukat

  2. Department of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    John I. Allen

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McFarland, E., Yee, J., Dachman, A., Knechtges, P. (2015). Quality Indicators for CT Colonography. In: Shaukat, A., Allen, J. (eds) Colorectal Cancer Screening. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2333-5_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2333-5_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2332-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2333-5

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