Towards equity: a retrospective analysis of public sector radiological resources and utilization patterns in the metropolitan and rural areas of the Western Cape Province of South Africa in 2017.

BACKGROUND: The reduction of inequality is a key United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (WHO, Human Resources for Health: foundation for Universal Health Coverage and the post-2015 development agenda, 2014; Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform, 2020). Despite marked disparities in radiological services globally, particularly between metropolitan and rural populations in low- and middle-income countries, there has been little work on imaging resources and utilization patterns in any setting (Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform, 2020; WHO, Local Production and Technology Transfer to Increase Access to Medical Devices, 2019; European Society of Radiology (ESR), Insights Imaging 6:573-7, 2015; Maboreke et al., An audit of licensed Zimbabwean radiology equipment resources as a measure of healthcare access and equity, 2020; Kabongo et al., Pan Afr Med J 22, 2015; Skedgel et al., Med Decis Making 35:94-105, 2015; Mollura et al., J Am Coll Radiol 913-9, 2014; Culp et al., J Am Coll Radiol 12:475-80, 2015; Mbewe et al., An audit of licenced Zambian diagnostic imaging equipment and personnel, 2020). To achieve equity, a better understanding of the integral components of the so called "imaging enterprise" is important. The aim was to analyse a provincial radiological service in a middle-income country. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved retrospective audit of radiological data for the public healthcare sector of the Western Cape Province of South Africa for 2017, utilizing provincial databases. We conducted population-based analyses of imaging equipment, personnel, and service utilization data for the whole province, the metropolitan and the rural areas. RESULTS: Metropolitan population density exceeds rural by a factor of ninety (1682 vs 19 people/km2). Rural imaging facilities by population are double the metropolitan (20 vs 11/106 people). Metropolitan imaging personnel by population (112 vs 53/106 people) and equipment unit (1.7 vs 0.7/unit) are more than double the rural. Overall population-based utilization of imaging services was 30% higher in the metropole (289 vs 214 studies/103 people), with mammography (24 vs 5 studies/103 woman > 40 years) and CT (21 vs 6/103 people) recording the highest, and plain radiography (203 vs 171/103 people) the lowest differences. CONCLUSION: Despite attempts to achieve imaging equity through the provision of increased facilities/million people in the rural areas, differential utilization patterns persist. The achievement of equity must be seen as a process involving incremental improvements and iterative analyses that define progress towards the goal.

Radiological Studies in Very Low Birth Weight and Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonates: 'ALARA' Revisited.

BACKGROUND: Very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) neonates are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of ionizing radiation. There are limited data on radiographic practice among this population in resource-limited environments. AIM: To estimate cumulative effective dose (ED) from diagnostic imaging in VLBW (1000-1500 g) and ELBW (<1000 g) neonates in a resource-limited setting. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of all diagnostic imaging examinations performed on ELBW and VLBW neonates born in a large South African public-sector tertiary-level hospital from January through June 2015. Data were stratified by birth weight and imaging examination. The ED was estimated according to the method of Puch-Kapst. Non-parametric t-tests compared the number of radiographs and ED in VLBW and ELBW neonates, at 5% significance. RESULTS: Three hundred and ninety-three neonates with median birth weight 1130 (IQR: 930-1340) g were included; 265 (67%) were VLBW and 128 (33%) ELBW; 48 (12%) died at a median of 7 (IQR: 2-17) days. A median of 2 (IQR: 1-5) radiographs were performed per neonate, with median ED 28.8 (IQR: 14.4-90.8) µSv. The median radiographic exposures for VLBW and ELBW neonates were 1 (IQR: 1-4) and 4 (IQR: 2-9), respectively, (p < 0.0001) with median ED 14.4 (IQR: 14.4-70.4) µSv and 71.2 (IQR: 28.8-169.3) µSv, respectively, (p < 0.0001). Radiographic exposure for VLBW neonates was lower than previously documented for this population. CONCLUSION: Neonatal radiographic practice in resource-limited settings has the potential to contribute to the discourse on international best practice.

Who PACS a Punch? The Role of the Picture Archiving and Communication System/Radiology Information System (PACS/RIS) in Quantifying Experiential Learning in Radiology Residency.

The clinical logbook is the currently accepted tool for evaluating experiential learning (EL) in postgraduate radiology training programs internationally. The role of the picture archiving and communication system/radiology information system (PACS/RIS) in defining the complete EL portfolio of radiology residents has not been explored. To conduct a PACS/RIS-based analysis of the comprehensive clinical outputs of radiology residents, and to correlate outputs with residency recruitment criteria and exit examination performance. Retrospective, customized searches of the institutional PACS/RIS were conducted to determine the clinical outputs of radiology residents completing a standardized 4-year training program at a single institution in a middle-income country. The association between outputs and prior-to-residency radiology experience, prior-to residency completion of the primary examination, and performance in the exit examination were determined. Fifteen residents were included. Average clinical output was 8286 cases, with a wide range (6268-10460). Total output was not associated with first-time exit examination success (p=0.16). Residents with prior radiology experience tended to greater success at first exit examination attempt (10/11, 91% versus 2/4, 50%; p=0.09), despite lower average outputs (8138 versus 8695). Outputs were not associated with prior completion of the radiology primary examination (8263 versus 8378; p=0.87). This first PACS/RIS-based analysis of the complete clinical outputs of any radiology residency training program provides important baseline educational data, with the potential to inform discourses on specialty training internationally. It demonstrates the potential for the modern PACS/RIS to supersede the traditional logbook and to serve as a comprehensive EL portfolio for radiology residents.

After-hour trauma-radiograph interpretation in the emergency centre of a District Hospital.

Introduction: Plain radiographs remain a first-line trauma investigation. Most trauma radiographs worldwide are reported by junior doctors. This study assesses the accuracy of after-hour acute trauma radiograph reporting by emergency centre (EC) doctors in an African district hospital. Methods: An institutional review board approved retrospective descriptive study over two consecutive weekends in February 2020. The radiologist report on the admission radiographs of adult trauma patients was compared with the initial EC interpretation. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for EC interpretation were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). The association between reporting accuracy and anatomical region, mechanism of injury, time of investigation, and the number of abnormalities per radiograph was assessed. Results: 140 radiographs were included, of which 49 (35%) were abnormal. EC doctors recorded (95%CI) 77% (69-84%) accuracy, 38% (25-54%) sensitivity, 97% (91-99%) specificity, 86% (65-95%) PPV and 76% (71-80%) NPV. Performance was associated with the anatomical region (p=0.02), mechanism of injury (p=<0.01) time of day (p=0.04) and the number of abnormalities on the film (p=<0.01). The highest sensitivity was achieved in reports of the appendicular skeleton (42%) and in the setting of simple blunt trauma (62%). Overall accuracy was in line with the range (44%-99%) reported in the international literature. Discussion: Accurate reporting of acute trauma radiographs is challenging. Key factors impact performance. Further training of junior doctors in this area of clinical practice is recommended. Future work should focus on assessing the impact of such training on reporting performance.

National inventory of authorized diagnostic imaging equipment in Ghana: data as of September 2020.

Introduction: to address the challenge of inadequate and non-equitable distribution of diagnostic imaging equipment, countries are encouraged to evaluate the distribution of installed systems and undertake adequate monitoring to ensure equitability. Ghana´s medical imaging resources have been analyzed in this study and evaluated against the status in other countries. Methods: data on registered medical imaging equipment were retrieved from the database of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority and analyzed. The equipment/population ratio was mapped out graphically for the 16 regions of Ghana. Comparison of the equipment/population ratio was made with the situation in other countries. Results: six hundred and seventy-four diagnostic imaging equipment units from 266 medical imaging facilities (2.5 units/facility), comprising computed tomography (CT), general X-ray, dental X-ray, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) gamma camera, fluoroscopy, mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were surveyed nationally. None of the imaging systems measured above the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average imaging units per million populations (u/mp). The overall equipment/population ratio estimated nationally was 21.4 u/mp. Majority of the imaging systems were general X-ray, installed in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. The regional estimates of equipment/population ratios were Greater Accra (49.6 u/mp), Ashanti (22.4 u/mp), Western (21.4 u/mp), Eastern (20.6 u/mp), Bono East (20.0 u/mp), Bono (19.2 u/mp), Volta (17.9 u/mp), Upper West (16.7 u/mp), Oti (12.5 u/mp), Central (11.9 u/mp), Northern (8.9 u/mp), Ahafo (8.9 u/mp), Upper East (6.9 u/mp), Western North (6.7 u/mp), Savannah (5.5 u/mp) and North-East (1.7 u/mp). Conclusion: medical imaging equipment shortfall exist across all imaging modalities in Ghana. A wide inter-regional disparity in the distribution of medical imaging equipment exists contrary to WHO´s recommendation for equitable distribution. A concerted national plan will be needed to address the disparity.

An audit of Zimbabwean public sector diagnostic ultrasound services.

INTRODUCTION: the provision of basic diagnostic imaging services is pivotal to achieving universal health coverage. An estimated two-thirds of the world's population have no access to basic diagnostic imaging. Accurate data on current imaging equipment resources are required to inform health delivery strategy and policy at national level. This is an audit of Zimbabwean public sector diagnostic ultrasound resources and services. METHODS: utilising the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MHCC) database, sequential interviews were conducted with provincial health authorities and local facility managers. Ultrasound equipment, personnel and services in all hospitals and clinics, nationally were recorded, collated, and analysed for the whole country, and by province. RESULTS: of the 1798 Zimbabwean public sector healthcare facilities, sixty-six (n=66, 3.67%) have ultrasound equipment. Ninety-nine (n=99) ultrasound units are distributed across the sonar facilities, representing a national average of 8 units per million people. More than half the equipment units (n=53, 54%) are in secondary-level healthcare facilities (district and mission hospitals), and approximately one-fifth (n=22, 22%) in the central hospitals (quaternary level). The best-resourced province has twice the resources of the least resourced. One-hundred and forty-two (n=142) healthcare workers, from six different professional groups, provide the public sector ultrasound service. Most facilities with sonar equipment (n=64/66, 97%) provide obstetrics and gynaecology services, while general abdominal scanning is available at one third (n=22, 33%). Two facilities with ultrasound equipment have no capacity to offer a sonography service. CONCLUSION: in order to reach the WHO recommendation of 20 sonar units per million people, an estimated 140 additional sonar units are required nationally. The need is greatest in Masvingo, Midlands and Mashonaland East Provinces. Task-shifting plays a key role in the provision of Zimbabwean sonar services. Consideration should be given to formal training and accreditation of all healthcare workers involved in sonar service delivery.

Analysis of registered radiological equipment in Kenya.

INTRODUCTION: diagnostic radiology plays a key role in healthcare. Proper planning of healthcare requires accurate and robust data. There´s, however, paucity of comprehensive figures on radiological equipment in the African setting. The goal of this study was to carry out an in-depth analysis of the registered radiological equipment in Kenya, a lower middle-income African country, and compare the findings to published international data. METHODS: data on radiological equipment were obtained from the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority and analyzed as units/million of the population by imaging modality, health service sector and administrative units. The findings were then compared to published international data. RESULTS: there has been an overall increase in the number of radiological equipment in comparison to data published in 2013, with a relatively uniform distribution of resources across all eight regions. General radiography is the most available modality at 24.5 units/million with the majority of the equipment owned privately, while the public sector (9.6 units/million) has less than a half of the WHO recommendation of 20 units/million. Accessibility to computerized tomography (CT) scan, fluoroscopy and mammography in the public sector closely mirrors that of South Africa. On the contrary, positron emission tomography-computerized tomography (PET-CT) is the least-resourced modality and is currently only available in the private sector. CONCLUSION: the increased number and homogenous distribution of radiological resources can largely be attributed to the Managed Equipment Services project launched by the national government in 2016. More needs to be done with regards to availability of PET/CT scanners and general radiography equipment in the public sector.

Radiological response and histological findings in nephroblastoma: Is the any correlation?

INTRODUCTION: The Sociétè Internationale d'Oncologie Pédiatrique advocates for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the management of nephroblastoma. Postoperatively, histological findings are used to assign risk classification to resected tumours. The aim of this study is to compare the response demonstrated by pre-operative imaging to the amount of necrosis seen on histology postoperatively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: About 33 patients with nephroblastoma over a 10 year period had adequate imaging and histology records for this study. Three methods were used to assess tumour change following neoadjuvant therapy and were compared with histological records. 1. An estimation of necrosis, 2. Surface areas of apparent necrosis within the tumour measured on static imaging, 3. The change in volume of the mass. Pearson coefficient was calculated to measure the correlation between histologically observed necrosis and radiological changes. Results were considered significant if P< 0.05. RESULTS: There was no correlation between radiological changes on pre-operative imaging and the percentage of necrosis seen on histology. Change in tumour size on radiological studies showed a moderate correlation to percentage tumour necrosis on histology but was unable to predict tumour risk classification. CONCLUSIONS: In nephroblastoma, there is a moderate correlation between the decrease in size of a mass noted on imaging following chemotherapy and the degree of necrosis found postoperatively on histology. Change in tumour size cannot be used to predict histological risk classification. It is not possible to predict the histological risk classification of a nephroblastoma based on the changes demonstrated on non-contrasted magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography preoperatively.

Radiological 'SATs' monitor: The use of 'study ascribable times' to assess the impact of clinical workload on resident training in a resource-limited setting.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, increasing clinical demands threaten postgraduate radiology training programmes. Time-based assessment of clinical workload is optimal in the academic environment, where an estimated 30% of consultant time should ideally be devoted to non-reporting activities. There has been limited analysis of the academic radiologist workload in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: Departmental staffing and clinical statistics were reviewed for 2008 and 2017. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists 'study ascribable times' (RANZCR-SATs) for primary consultant reporting were used with the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) 2012 guidelines for secondary review of resident reports, to estimate the total consultant-hours required for each year's clinical workload. Analyses were stratified by type of investigation (plain-film vs. special) and expressed as a proportion of the total annual available consultant working hours. RESULTS: Reporting all investigations required 90% and 100%, while reporting special investigations alone, demanded 53% and 69% of annual consultant working hours in 2008 and 2017, respectively. Between 2008 and 2017, the proportion of consultant time available for plain-film reporting decreased from 17% to 1%, while preserving 30% for non-reporting activities. CONCLUSION: A time-based analysis of the academic radiologist's clinical workload, utilizing the RANZCR-SATs and RCR 2012 guidelines for primary and secondary reporting, respectively, provides a reasonably accurate reflection of the service pressures in resource-constrained environments and has potential international applicability.

An audit of licenced Zambian diagnostic imaging equipment and personnel.

INTRODUCTION: Estimates indicate that two-thirds of the world's population lack adequate access to basic medical imaging services integral to universal health coverage (UHC). Furthermore, sparse country-level radiological resource statistics exist and there is scant appreciation of how such data reflect healthcare access. The World Health Organisation posits that one X-ray and ultrasound unit for every 50,000 people will meet 90% of global imaging demands. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive review of licensed Zambian radiological equipment and human resources. METHODS: An audit of licensed imaging resources, using the national updated Radiation Protection Authority and Health Professions Council of Zambia databases. Resources were quantified as units or personnel per million people, stratified by imaging modality, profession, province and healthcare sector, then compared with published Southern African data. RESULTS: Over half of all equipment (153/283 units, 54%) and almost two thirds of all radiation workers (556/913, 61%) are in two of ten provinces, serving one third of the population (5.49/16.4, 33.5%). Three-quarters of the national equipment inventory (212/283 units, 75%) and nearly ninety percent of registered radiation workers (800/913, 88%) are in the public sector, serving 96% of the population. Southern African country-level public-sector imaging resources principally reflect national per capita healthcare spending. CONCLUSION: To achieve equitable imaging access pivotal for UHC, Zambia will need a more homogeneous distribution of specialised radiological resources tailored to remedy disparities between healthcare sectors and provincial regions. Analyses of licenced radiology resources at country level can serve as a benchmark for medium-term radiological planning.

An audit of licensed Zimbabwean radiology equipment resources as a measure of healthcare access and equity.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately two-thirds of the world's population has no access to diagnostic imaging. Basic radiological services should be integral to universal health coverage. The World Health Organization postulates that one basic X-ray and ultrasound unit for every 50000 people will meet 90% of global imaging needs. However, there are limited country-level data on radiological resources, and little appreciation of how such data reflect access and equity within a healthcare system. The aim of this study was a detailed analysis of licensed Zimbabwean radiological equipment resources. METHODS: The equipment database of the Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe was interrogated. Resources were quantified as units/million people and compared by imaging modality, geographical region and healthcare sector. Zimbabwean resources were compared with published South African and Tanzanian data. RESULTS: Public-sector access to X-ray units (11/106 people) is approximately half the WHO recommendation (20/106 people), and there exists a 5-fold disparity between the least- and best-resourced regions. Private-sector exceeds public-sector access by 16-fold. More than half Zimbabwe's radiology equipment (215/380 units, 57%) is in two cities, serving one-fifth of the population. Almost two-thirds of all units (243/380, 64%) are in the private sector, routinely accessible by approximately 10% of the population. Southern African country-level public-sector imaging resources broadly reflect national per capita healthcare expenditure. CONCLUSION: There exists an overall shortfall in basic radiological equipment resources in Zimbabwe, and inequitable distribution of existing resources. The national radiology equipment register can reflect access and equity in a healthcare system, while providing medium-term radiological planning data.

Infantile intrathoracic large airway obstruction in a setting with a high prevalence of tuberculosis/HIV.

Background There has been no detailed analysis of the cause of intrathoracic large airway obstruction in infants in a resource-limited environment with a high prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Aim To define the aetiology and severity of intrathoracic large airway obstruction in infants in a tertiary South African hospital with a high prevalence of PTB and HIV. Methods A retrospective study of infants was conducted with computerised tomography (CT) evidence of intrathoracic large airway obstruction from 1 January 2011 to 31 May 2014. CT scans were evaluated for the cause, site and severity of airway narrowing, with severity stratified as 'mild' (<50%), 'moderate' (51-75%) or 'severe' (>75%). Results Forty-four patients (28 males, 64%; median age 145 days, range 5-331), and 79 sites of attenuation were included. Vascular (22/44, 50%) and nodal (18/44, 41%) compressions accounted for over 90% of cases. Thirty-five patients (79.5%) had at least one site of moderate/severe attenuation, and 26 (59%) had multiple such sites. Adenopathy was the commonest cause of moderate/severe compression (18/35, 51%). All cases of nodal compression were of tuberculous origin. HIV-serology was recorded in 32 patients (73%), one of whom, with vascular compression, was HIV-infected. Half of the patients (11/22, 50%) with vascular compression had congenital abnormalities, most commonly cardiac anomalies (7/22, 32%). There were no synchronous vascular and nodal compressions. Conclusion Infantile intrathoracic large airway obstruction where there is a high prevalence of PTB and HIV is characterised by its extrinsic aetiology, severity and multicentricity, with more than half of all moderate/severe obstructions being caused by tuberculous adenopathy.

Defining the diagnostic divide: an analysis of registered radiological equipment resources in a low-income African country.

INTRODUCTION: Diagnostic radiology is recognised as a key component of modern healthcare. However there is marked inequality in global access to imaging. Rural populations of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have the greatest need. Carefully coordinated healthcare planning is required to meet the ever increasing global demand for imaging and to ensure equitable access to services. However, meaningful planning requires robust data. Currently, there are no comprehensive published data on radiological equipment resources in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to conduct the first detailed analysis of registered diagnostic radiology equipment resources in a low-income African country and compare findings with recently published South African data. METHODS: The study was conducted in Tanzania in September 2014, in collaboration with the Tanzanian Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC), which maintains a comprehensive database of the country's registered diagnostic imaging equipment. All TAEC equipment data were quantified as units per million people by imaging modality, geographical zone and healthcare sector. RESULTS: There are 5.7 general radiography units per million people in the public sector with a relatively homogeneous geographical distribution. When compared with the South African public sector, Tanzanian resources are 3-, 21- and 6-times lower in general radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. CONCLUSION: The homogeneous Tanzanian distribution of basic public-sector radiological services reflects central government's commitment to equitable distribution of essential resources. However, the 5.7 general radiography units per million people is lower than the 20 units per million people recommended by the World Health Organization.

Analysis of licensed South African diagnostic imaging equipment.

INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVE: To conduct an analysis of all registered South Africa (SA) diagnostic radiology equipment, assess the number of equipment units per capita by imaging modality, and compare SA figures with published international data, in preparation for the introduction of national health insurance (NHI) in SA. METHODS: The SA Radiation Control Board's database of registered diagnostic radiology equipment was analysed by modality, province and healthcare sector. Access to services was reflected as number of units/million population, and compared with published international data. RESULTS: General X-ray units are the most equitably distributed and accessible resource (34.8/million). For fluoroscopy (6.6/million), mammography (4.96/million), computed tomography (5.0/million) and magnetic resonance imaging (2.9/million), there are at least 10-fold discrepancies between the least and best resourced provinces. Although SA's overall imaging capacity is well above that of other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, it is lower than that of all Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). While SA's radiological resources most closely approximate those of the United Kingdom, they are substantially lower than the UK. CONCLUSION: SA access to radiological services is lower than that of any OECD country. For the NHI to achieve equitable access to diagnostic imaging for all citizens, SA will need a more homogeneous distribution of specialised radiological resources and customized imaging guidelines.