Nighthawk Radiology Reporting

Nighthawk Radiology refers to the model where radiologists interpret and analyze radiological findings during nighttime. These services are obtained through teleradiology, making diagnostic findings quicker to obtain. Nighthawk reporting contributes significantly to reduce the turnaround time (TAT), which is very important in emergency/STAT situations.

The primary goal of Nighthawk radiology services is to offer radiology facilities after working hours, especially during nighttime. It would have been difficult to have nighttime radiologists on-site, which becomes difficult using conventional staffing. A variety of imaging modalities are covered under Nighthawk services, such as CT, MRI, ultrasound, etc. Multiple subspecialty experts providing facilities for various techniques streamline nighttime radiology even further.

Why Choose Statim Healthcare for Nighthawk Radiology Reporting Online?

Statim Healthcare is an excellent provider of Nighthawk services, providing the expertise of several radiology specialists. With round-the-clock service, Nighthawk ensures that the healthcare institutions can provide uninterrupted services even during non-traditional working hours. This quality is highly important for urgent or emergency cases.

Often, due to conventional staffing, priority patients cannot access specialty radiologists at their healthcare centers during nighttime. Using our Nighthawk system, we help the medical institutions connect the correct specialists according to the patient requirement. We make sure to recruit highly specialized and certified radiologists to maintain the quality of expertise. With the added leverage of PACS/RIS workflows, quality radiology services are availed with exceptional ease. This model is also effective for securely maintaining the radiological data for future references.

Data security is the topmost priority at Statim Healthcare. We follow standardized data security regulations to make sure we protect the privacy of our clients. Statim is a key provider of the radiology demands of people across the globe. Therefore, to comply with the regional requirements, we ensure that our facilities are up to the mark of global standards. In conclusion, Statim Healthcare provides the following key advantages in Nighthawk reporting:

What Nighthawk Radiology Report Covers?

X-ray Radiography

X-rays are widely used during nighttime radiological examinations as a preliminary screening modality. Similar to CT, X-rays consist of exposing the body to ionizing radiation. This creates a 2D image of the region. X-rays are effective in visualizing hard tissues like bone and can detect abnormalities or foreign bodies immediately. Using Nighthawk radiology, experts commonly perform chest X-rays, trauma-related skeletal X-rays, abdominal radiographs, and post-procedure imaging. The techniques can successfully evaluate pneumothorax, pneumonia, fractures, bowel obstruction, tube and line placements, and postoperative complications.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound works by the application of high-frequency sonic waves onto the area of interest. A high-quality 3D image is generated when a detector captures these waves. The unique feature of ultrasound is the fact that it can visualize real-time movements in the anatomy. Under Nighthawk radiology, ultrasound is typically used as FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma). FAST is used to diagnose suspected gallbladder disease, hydronephrosis, pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and testicular or ovarian emergencies.

Computed Tomography (CT)

CT is an imaging modality that uses ionizing radiation to observe the anatomy of the area under evaluation. The ionizing radiation is directed to the body from different planes. This creates multiple 2D images, which are then reconstructed into a high-quality 3D image using a computerized system. This imaging modality is most frequently used during nighttime services. Commonly used CT subcategories are CT brain, CT chest, CT abdomen–pelvis, trauma CT protocols, and CT angiography (CTA). Nighthawk radiologists detect head injuries, strokes, polytrauma, acute abdominal pain, chest pain, and suspected pulmonary embolism. CT evaluation during nighttime is a critical step, as it often determines interventions like surgery, thrombolysis, or ICU admission.

Key Benefits

The key benefits of Nighthawk radiology services are listed below:

How Nighthawk Radiology Reporting Works?

Given below is a detailed, step-by-step process of Nighthawk radiology reporting.

Identification of Clinical Etiology

In the case of Nighthawk services, patients arrive at nighttime, most commonly with an emergency or urgent condition (trauma, stroke, acute pain, or post-op complication).

The consulting physician then determines the cause of the complication and refers the patient for a radiological examination.

During this step, the physician also determines whether the condition should be categorized under the STAT/Emergency, urgent, or routine category.

Selecting a Suitable Imaging Modality

Once referred to the clinician, the radiologist then re-examines the clinical presentation and patient history.

Based on these factors, a suitable imaging modality (CT, MRI, or X-ray) is selected.

Performing the Radiological Imaging

After the selection of a suitable imaging modality, the radiologist then performs the imaging.

During nighttime, radiology protocols are specially adapted for emergency diagnosis.

Diagnosis Information Transfer

Based on the urgency of the case, the diagnostic findings can either be communicated directly or converted into a complete report.

Since the majority of nighttime services are required for emergency situations, the findings are generally transferred using teleradiology.

The diagnostic results are sent to a Nighthawk radiology specialist, since subspecialty radiologists may not be on-site during nighttime.

Report Generation

After the diagnostic information is obtained, a preliminary report is first generated on a preliminary basis, followed by a finalized report during routine hours.

Presently, due to teleradiology, finalized radiology reports are also being made during the nighttime.

Medical Action

Based on the radiological findings, the necessary clinical decision (treatment, intervention, surgery, etc.) is taken.

The treatment may begin immediately after the communication of results or after the finalization of the diagnostic report, based on the urgency.

Institutional Processes

After the report finalization, it is then entered into the hospital RIS/PACS system.

This information is entered into the patient’s profile and is useful for future references.

Why it's Growing Online?

In present times, several factors contribute to the growing demand of Nighthawk radiology services online. Such factors are listed below:

Shortage of Specialized Radiologists

The global shortage of radiologists makes it difficult for them to be present on-site in most healthcare institutions.

Nighthawk radiology services mitigate this problem by providing remote specialist services during nighttime.

This model offers expert radiology services to multiple institutions.

Rising Emergency Volumes

Presently, the volume of patients approaching institutions for nighttime radiology services.

This volume further strains the system due to a lack of radiology specialists.

Remote services from Nighthawk radiologists help attend to such patients efficiently.

Demand for Shorter Turnaround Times (TAT)

During nighttime, the incoming patients typically present emergency situations, which demand a shorter TAT.

Nighthawk radiology services offer rapid, remote interpretation of diagnostic results, which helps reduce TAT.

Increased Patient Safety

Delayed diagnosis causes loss of precious time required to handle critical situations that are often presented during the night.

Availability of nighttime radiology specialists offers immediate analysis, which is helpful in taking life-preserving decisions.

Cost-Effective Nighttime Services

To address the high volume of incoming patients, healthcare institutions need to employ on-site radiologists, which might not be feasible.

Using Nighthawk radiology reporting, healthcare institutions can avail expert radiology support without recruiting additional staff.

Increased Remote Work

With increasing IT infrastructure, the teleradiology field is also booming.

Facilities like PACS, RIS, secure networks, and cloud-based systems simplify Nighthawk radiology reporting

Globalized Access

Teleradiology and Nighthawk facilities make it easier for patients to acquire radiology specialists across the globe.

These services also increase the availability of highly niche radiologists, which may not be present in every geographical region.