Review the concept of Single Point of Failure (SPOF) in technology industries and its potential use in radiology to reduce error and improve patient care. Highlight commonly missed pathologies in oncology imaging derived from archive analysis of three tertiary centres – recurring errors are categorised into to the SPOF mnemonic: Spine, Pulmonary embolism (and other vascular diseases), Obstruction, Fracture (pathological or impending). Appreciate that missing a SPOF can adversely affect patients and be a potential source of litigation, hence the term Single Point of Failure.

SPOF, Single Point of Failure, is a term used in information technology, business processes and workflow dynamics, where a failure in a particular non-redundant aspect can cause failure of the entire system or process. SPOF isthat part of a system, that if it fails, it takes down the entire system with it. Archive analysis of our centres' oncology imaging has shown certain pathologies are more commonly found in cancer patients and easily missed unless specifically identified. These can be categorised into the SPOF mnemonic. SPOFs...

SPOF in cancer imaging reporting Certain pathologies are more commonly found in patients with cancer and should never be missed. We have called these pathologies SPOF. No matter how advanced the imaging technique or the oncology treatment, missing a SPOF can lead to failure in the care pathway of the patient. SPOF has been derived from literature review and analysis of our errors and discrepancy data. SPOFs are associated with morbidity and mortality and identifying them can help alleviate the suffering of many different types...

SPOF is an easy checklist in cancer imaging to reduce reporting errors during busy and pressured reporting scenarios. SPOF is also a useful concept in identifying areas within reporting errors whichsignificantly affect patient management. Although we have focused on cancer imaging, SPOFs can be identified in other radiology specialities where a discrepancy in reporting is associated with morbidity or mortality.

Dr Syed Junaid [email protected] Dr Asad Saeed Dr Richard White Dr George Joseph Dr Ian Zealley Dr Audrey Yong Dr T. Sudarshan Dr Matthew Budak Dr Jonathan Weir-McCall University Hospital of Wales Cardiff Velindre Cancer Centre Cardiff Ninewells Hospital Dundee Gold Coast Radiology Australia

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