Management of nasal trauma--widespread misuse of radiographs.
Clin Perform Qual Health Care
; 8(2): 83-5, 2000.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11184055
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the reasons behind the widespread use of X-ray in the management of nasal trauma despite the fact that it has no useful purpose, comparing the responses of doctors in Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments between the District General Hospitals (DGH) and the Teaching Hospitals.METHOD:
A multiple-choice questionnaire was sent to all doctors in Accidents and Emergency departments in the North-West Region of England.RESULT:
212 questionnaires were sent out and 159 were returned. Amongst the 92 (57.9 per cent) doctors who use nasal radiographs, the overall most common reason is medico-legal in 48 (52.1 per cent). A high proportion of DGH doctors use radiographs for diagnostic purposes and 35 (28.9 per cent) will refer patients based on X-ray demonstration of nasal bone fracture. Other stated reasons included detection of unsuspected facial fracture, diagnosis of compound nasal fracture and foreign body detection.CONCLUSION:
Doctors need to be better informed that nasal radiography has no useful value. A clear clinical guideline should be set up nationwide to protect patients from unnecessary exposure to radiation. This will also save the time of the doctors, radiographers and patients. It will prevent inappropriate referrals. Money and other resources will therefore be better utilized.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Wounds and Injuries
/
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
/
Emergency Service, Hospital
/
Health Services Misuse
/
Nasal Bone
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Guideline
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Clin Perform Qual Health Care
Journal subject:
SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Year:
2000
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United kingdom