radiologieorders

Radiologieorders, or radiology orders, are formal requests for radiologic imaging studies submitted by a clinician to a radiology department. They initiate the process of selecting an appropriate imaging modality and protocol to answer a clinical question about a patient. The term is used in many healthcare settings to describe the administrative and clinical instructions that accompany an imaging exam.

A radiologieorder typically includes several key elements: patient identifiers, the requesting clinician, the requested examination (for example, X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, or nuclear medicine), the clinical indication or rationale, any prior imaging for comparison, and special instructions such as the use of contrast, patient preparation, or specific views or protocols. The order may also specify urgency, preferred timing, and contact information for the patient or ordering clinician. Additional safety data, such as allergies or kidney function when contrast is considered, may be included to guide the imaging plan.

Workflow for radiologieorders spans electronic entry, scheduling, image acquisition, interpretation by a radiologist, and the delivery of a structured radiology report back to the ordering clinician and the patient record. Modern workflows leverage radiology information systems (RIS), picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), electronic health records (EHRs), and sometimes interoperable standards such as HL7 or FHIR for order transmission and LOINC codes for exam terminology.

Standards and safety considerations address accuracy of orders, avoidance of duplicative imaging, patient safety, and privacy. Clear documentation within a radiologieorder supports efficient care coordination, appropriate resource use, and high-quality diagnostic reporting.