UCSD Musculoskeletal Radiology

bonepit.com

Signing

YOU MUST SIGN YOUR REPORTS EVERY DAY. REPORTS CAN BE SIGNED FROM THE HOSPITAL OR FROM HOME.

 

You can not sign other peoples’ reports

From UCSD Risk Management

"We also want to draw your attention to the recent national attention given to the potential malpractice liability inherent in proxy signature of radiology reports (Smith and Berlin, American Journal of Roentgenology, 2001, 176, 27-30). We endorse the policy of the Department of Radiology that prohibits the use of proxy signatures. Medicare Conditions of Participation specify that "The radiologist or other practitioner who performs radiology services must sign the reports of his or her interpretations."

 

Signing reports from home

You can sign IDXRAD reports for UCSD Medical Center and Thornton, and the VISTA reports from the VA Medical Center from your home computer via telnet access. We do not have access to home signing of reports for Scripps at this time. This information is specifically for signing UCSD reports for PC users, but it will work (with minor modifications) using a MAC.

UCSD/Thornton

Steps involved

# You need to have a 6 digit provider number and a password for IDXRAD. The number will be assigned to you when you start working at UCSD. You will get the number from Kim (head of transcription) at your meeting with her about using the IDXRAD system. You choose the password yourself.
  1. You need a connection to the internet from your home computer. Your connection can be via modem, cable, DSL, ISDN or whatever.
  1. You need a telnet application loaded on your computer. The telnet program that comes as a freebie with Windows is not good for signing reports because you cannot edit. We recommend you install the IDXTERM (IDX terminal emulator) software to use for your telnet program. The zipped version is included in your introductory CD. If you do not have an unzip program on your computer, download winzip from www.cnet.com and install it first.

Installing and Configuring IDXTERM

  1. Put the "idxterm.zip" file in any empty directory.
    Double click on "setup.exe" and follow instructions. It is a no-brainer.

Once you have installed IDXTERM

  1. Start IDXterm
    Select the CONNECT option
    Select HOST
    You can choose either serial32 or WINSOCK. Select WINSOCK.
    Next it will ask HOSTNAME. Enter "th-digit1.ucsd.edu" exactly as typed without the quotation marks.
    When you get the prompt enter "idxrad" for the user then enter "idxrad" again for the password (once again with no quotation marks).
    You should get the VAX VMS login prompt where you enter "rad"
    Follow the typical sequence with your provider number and password that you would use from the computers in the department.
    I

For PC users with a cable modem, John Hesselink has one other "pearl". After you setup idxterm, put a "windows shortcut" on your desktop. "Right click" your mouse button on the shortcut icon. Select "properties" and then the "shortcut" tab. In the "Target" box, type "idxterm.exe /winsock=th-digit1.ucsd.edu" In the "Start in" box, type the directory where you put the idxterm program. Now when you double click the "shortcut icon" it will automatically log on to the host computer.

Signing reports on IDXRAD from the VA

It is possible to sign reports at the VA for both Thornton and Hillcrest. Both of the computers in the bone pit are linked up. If the computer icon with idxrad is not on the desktop, it can be quickly reinstalled:

1. Double click the vista icon.

2. On the top row of the drop down menus click on connections. Click disconnect. Repeat and hit connect.

3. The option th-digit1.ucsd.edu should be highlighted. Click OK

4. login: idxrad

5. password: idxrad

6. login rad

Signing reports from out of town

You can do a similar thing with your laptop and sign off reports from anywhere on the planet. All you need is an internet connection. There are free internet services, such as Juno, or you can get a "dial-up account" at the University for $12/month (www.no.ucsd.edu or phone UCSD Network Operations at 858-534-1857).

When you are traveling without your laptop, most hotels have computer access or you can get online at a local Kiosk. On Windows based PCs, select "Run" from the "Start" menu and type "telnet". Within telnet, connect to "th-digit1.ucsd.edu" to get to the login prompt. The program is a little klugi; you may not be able to edit reports, but at least you sign off the other ones.

It is a good idea to expedite your reports if you are working the day before leaving town. When you or the resident log on to RTAS and are asked for the "2 digit work type", enter "33" and transcription will prioritize your reports, so hopefully reports would be available for review and signature the same day.

For MAC users, see below

To log on to IDXRAD with a MAC, you need a telnet program. "BetterTelnet" is a free software program for a MAC that can be obtained at "http://www.cstone.net/~rbraun/mac/telnet". Page down to "Download BetterTelnet" and follow the instructions.

When you have the program installed (which seems to happen automatically on a MAC when you download it), open the BetterTelnet program. Under the file menu, select "Open Connection". In the "Host Name" box, type "th-digit1.ucsd.edu" and connect. That should get you to the "SunOS 5.6" prompt. Type "idxrad" for both the login and password. That will get you to the IDXRAD system.

Good luck!

If you are having problems, please contact the UCSD Department of Radiology support person:

Wes Dillon

619-543-2730

wes@ucsd.edu