Keywords:
Management, Computer applications, Professional issues, CT, MR, Ultrasound, Cost-effectiveness, Decision analysis, Efficacy studies, Education and training, Economics, Workforce
Authors:
D. M. Neeson1, P. B. devlin2; 1Belfast/UK, 2BT47 6SB/UK
DOI:
10.26044/ecr2019/C-1247
Results
Overall,
128 (4.3%) of the 3000 requests were advised by radiologists.
Of these,
only 14 reported their recommended investigation leaving 114 sources for potential feedback.
Unfortunately we could not accurately assess how much,
if any,
feedback was given due to absence of any integrated system support for this function.
USS – 1000 studies were performed in a 14 day period.
39 were self referred from within the department and only 6 (15%) of these were performed by the referrer. The majority were referred from previous ultrasound.
10 (25%) for follow-up of pelvic cysts and 7 for assessment of liver lesion on CT.
CT – 1000 studies carried out of 6 week period.
49 were self referred with only 2 (4%) of these being performed by the referrer.
Majority were referred following ultrasound.
26 (53%) of these studies were chest/abdomen/pelvis for suspected malignancy.
MR – 1000 studies performed over 11 week period. 60 were self-referred and 6 (10%) were performed by the referrer.
Majority were referred from CT,16 (27%) for malignancy and 14 (23%) for MRCP.
With regard to referral rates,
we did not notice any significant trend between substantive consultants,
trainees,
locums or radiographers.
We found no concerns over the rationale for any of the follow-on investigations.
It was not possible to assess the clinical impact of these follow up studies but no obvious concerns were identified