Background/introduction
Ionizing radiation has revolutionized the practice of medicine. The availability of diagnostic imaging has prompted inappropriate use over the past century. Clinical Imaging Guidelines (CIGs) have been demonstrated to reduce such inappropriate use. There is insufficient literature on the appropriateness of imaging requisitions and the effectiveness of CIGs in Uganda.
This study aimed to; determine the level of appropriateness of head CT imaging requisitions pre and post-intervention and to determine the effectiveness of CIGs in the reduction of inappropriate imaging requisitions.
Description of activity and work performed
A clinical audit of head Computed Tomography (CT) requisitions with an intervention was conducted at Mengo Hospital.
A Baseline review of 262 imaging requests for October, November, December 2018 was done to determine the level of their appropriateness. Later a training on the use of CIGs(I-Guide) was provided to referrers in the months of January, February, March, April 2019.A post-intervention review of 154 requisitions was conducted for June, July, and August 2019.The level of appropriateness was measured as a proportion of requisitions with the best...
Conclusion and recommendations
CIGs are effective in reducing inappropriate requisitions of head CT exams and must be provided to referrers to be used during routine care.
Personal/organisational information
M. Kawooya; Kampala/UG - Author at Ernest Cook Ultrasound Research and Education Institute H. N. N. D. Kisembo; Kampala/UG - nothing to disclose G. Erem; Kampala/UG - nothing to disclose R. Malumba; Kampala/UG - nothing to disclose
References
Hendee, W. R., Becker, G. J., Borgstede, J. P., Bosma, J., Casarella, W. J., Erickson, B. A., Maynard, C. D., Thrall, J. H., & Wallner, P. E. (2010). Addressing overutilization in medical imaging. Radiology, 257(1), 240–245.
Jeong, W. K., Baek, J. H., Jung, S. E., Do, K. H., Yong, H. S., Kim, M.-J., Choi, M., Lee, M., Choi, S. J., & Jo, A. J. (2016). Imaging Guidelines for Enhancing Justifications for Radiologic Studies. Journal of Korean Medical Science, 31(Suppl 1), S38–S44
Blackmore, C. C., Mecklenburg,...