Aims and objectives
Since the relatively recent adventof angiography andtranscathetertechniques,
interventional radiology (IR) has played an important role in the management of acutely unwell patients.
High quality IR delivers significant improvement in patient outcomes1.
There is a broad range of clinical scenarios in which patients require urgent intervention.This auditreviews allout of hours IR proceduresundertakenin a major tertiary referral centre.
Methods and materials
A retrospectiveanalysiswas doneofout of hoursfluoroscopicIR procedures performedover an 18 month period(01/01/2016 to 21/06/17).“Out of hours” was considered to be 5pm to 8am Monday-Friday,
and anytime over the weekend.
Any intervention in the fluoroscopy suite performed during these times was included.
Using the PACS© and Patient Centre©,
data was gathered and analysed using an excel spreadsheet.
Results
A total of 488out ofhourscaseswere performed on 396 patients.
The vast majority (93%) occurred on weekdays after 17:00.
The remaining 34 procedures were performed at the weekend,
with a higher incidence on Saturdays (23/34; 68%).
Mean patient age was 60 (range 18 - 95). There was an almost equal gender distribution.
A range of procedures were performed,
including embolization (mesenteric,
iliac) biliary and abdominal drainages and nephrostomy,
amongst others.
The month with the most out of hours IR procedures done was February 2016,
where 57...
Conclusion
We conclude that the provision of an IR on call service is necessary as a diagnostic,
but predominantly therapeutic service,
of paramount import in a major tertiary referral centre,
and has the capability to reduce patient morbidity and mortality.This would require appropriate resourcing.
Literature suggests that this role may expand,
arecent survey showed a 21% rise in the number of IR procedures between 2010 and 2012 2.
Personal information
Dr.
Toni Anderson,
Irish Graduate,
currently working in General Internal Medicine with a view to pursuing a career in Radiology in the future.
References
1.
The Royal College of Radiologists and British Society of Interventional Radiologists.
Investing in the interventional radiology workforce: the quality and efficiency case.
London: The Royal College of Radiologists,
2014.
2.
The Royal College of Radiologists.
Investing in the interventional radiology workforce: the quality and efficacy case Clinical Radiology Workforce Census 2012.
London: The Royal College of Radiologists,
2014.
