Background: Inappropriate completion of abdominal radiographs results in unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation. This quality improvement project aimed to reduce the number of inappropriate abdominal radiographs performed in the emergency department.
Materials And Methods: Abdominal radiograph request forms were analyzed with reference to the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) iRefer guidance. A teaching session was then delivered to ED clinicians and posters were disseminated within the department. Post-intervention data collection followed.
Results: Following the intervention, there was an increase in the proportion of abdominal radiographs meeting iRefer guidance, which was accompanied by an increased diagnostic yield of these investigations. There was a reduction in the number of requests post-intervention.
Conclusions: Our interventions helped increase awareness of both the guidelines and radiation dose associated with each study. Routine education of the iRefer guidelines will help reduce inappropriate requests. This in turn will reduce unnecessary radiation exposure, whilst also reducing the financial burden.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8930155 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1193_21 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Recent Advances in Managing Ankylosing Spondylitis with Andersson Lesion: A Clinical Overview and Case Report.
J Orthop Case Rep
January 2025
Department of Orthopaedics, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Introduction: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and progressive thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity. A key complication in advanced AS is the development of Andersson lesions (AL), degenerative vertebral lesions resulting from the disease's progression. These lesions can cause significant mechanical pain, often mistaken for the chronic discomfort associated with AS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUtility of Abdominal Radiographs After Posterior Spinal Fusion for Neuromuscular Scoliosis.
J Clin Med
January 2025
Jackie and Gene Autry Children's Orthopedic Center, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
Postoperative ileus, the temporary cessation of gastrointestinal motility leading to accumulation of fluid and gas in the bowel, is a common complication following posterior spine fusion (PSF) in patients with neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS). Abdominal radiographs (KUBs) are often ordered to differentiate between ileus and mechanical obstruction but expose patients to radiation, add cost, and may lead to unnecessary work up. The aim of this study was to determine how often KUBs led to a change in treatment after PSF in patients with NMS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDynamic Digital Radiography (DDR) in the Diagnosis of a Diaphragm Dysfunction.
Diagnostics (Basel)
December 2024
Postgraduation School in Radiodiagnostics, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milan, Italy.
Dynamic digital radiography (DDR) is a recent imaging technique that allows for real-time visualization of thoracic and pulmonary movement in synchronization with the breathing cycle, providing useful clinical information. A 46-year-old male, a former smoker, was evaluated for unexplained dyspnea and reduced exercise tolerance. His medical history included a SARS-CoV-2 infection in 2021.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRetroperitoneal Teratoma in a Newborn: A Case Report and Diagnostic Insights.
Cureus
December 2024
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Blythedale Children's Hospital, Valhalla, USA.
Retroperitoneal teratomas are rare neoplasms in neonates, presenting with nonspecific symptoms and variable clinical features, making diagnosis challenging. Radiological investigations, particularly fetal ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography, play a critical role in their detection. Differential diagnoses include neuroblastoma, adrenal hemorrhage, and congenital cystic lesions, which share overlapping clinical and imaging features.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSmall Bowel Obstruction Secondary to Partial Malrotation of the Gut: A Case Report.
Cureus
January 2025
General Surgery, Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Liberty, USA.
This case report presents a unique clinical presentation of small bowel obstruction secondary to congenital partial malrotation of the gut in adults. Partial malrotation may have variable clinical presentations and this case highlights a constellation of patient history, radiographic signs, and operative findings leading to appropriate diagnosis and successful surgical management. A 56-year-old female patient presented with severe abdominal pain, nausea, and anorexia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!