Urgency pathways
Urgency needs a defined pathway, not a vague speed claim
This educational page models how a facility can map routine, urgent, and STAT studies to a documented reading and escalation workflow. It does not establish that DLA Imaging currently offers every pathway shown. Exact availability and any turnaround commitment belong in a signed facility agreement.
At a glance
What this service depends on
- Urgency labels on this page are illustrative. What each label means at a given facility is written during onboarding, not here.
- Public forms never receive images, reports, or patient identifiers.
- This page publishes no turnaround target, operating window, or staffing figure; those are defined in the facility agreement. Credential evidence belongs in the approved diligence process.
Turnaround expectation explorer
See the reporting pathway while keeping every numerical service level inside the facility agreement.
What does this service cover?
Urgency labels are operational instructions. A useful program defines what each label means, who may assign it, how it enters the worklist, what information travels with the study, and how a critical result is communicated and acknowledged.
How does the pathway work?
During onboarding, the facility and reading service align queue labels, time windows, escalation contacts, downtime procedures, and documentation expectations. The public explorer illustrates the pathway without publishing a numerical service level.
Why does operational clarity matter?
A facility should be able to say out loud what happens after someone marks a study STAT: where it lands, who sees the flag, and what number gets called if the result cannot wait for the report to post.
What is not being promised here?
This page makes no claim about DLA Imaging’s current urgent or STAT scope and publishes no numerical turnaround commitment. Any service level may vary by modality, time, operating window, dependencies, and coverage arrangement and exists only in a signed facility agreement.
FAQ
Common questions
What does STAT mean?
STAT identifies a high-priority operational pathway. Its exact definition and time commitment must be agreed with the facility.
Is STAT the same at every facility?
No. Labels and escalation rules can differ, so onboarding should map them explicitly.
Are turnaround times published here?
No. This educational page publishes no numerical service level; any commitment exists only in a signed facility agreement.
What happens with a critical finding?
The agreed workflow identifies the communication route, responsible contacts, acknowledgement process, and documentation.
Can urgency change after routing?
A facility’s approved communication and escalation process should cover priority changes.
What if the usual contact is unavailable?
Escalation trees and downtime contacts should be established before go-live.
Can patients request a STAT read here?
No. Patients should contact their care team. This site does not receive orders or change clinical priority.
How can a facility evaluate the pathway?
Use the explorer, then confirm every definition, contact, and time commitment in the service agreement.
Where DLA Imaging provides reading services under a facility agreement, reports return through the ordering care team’s established workflow. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnoses, or emergency services.