The costs and effects of introducing selectively trained radiographers to an A&E reporting service: a retrospective controlled before and after study.
Br J Radiol
; 78(930): 499-505, 2005 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-15901575
ABSTRACT
The costs and effects of introducing selectively trained radiographers reporting accident and emergency (A&E) radiographs of the appendicular skeleton in a district general hospital were assessed using a retrospective controlled before and after design. Reference standard reports were compared with a random stratified sample of 200 A&E and 200 general practitioner (GP) reports before and after the intervention. GP reports were used as a non-intervention, non-equivalent control group. An A&E specialist registrar judged whether incorrect A&E reports might have a clinically important effect on patient management. The effect of incorrect A&E reports on outcome was assessed by patient re-attendance to the hospital because of missed abnormalities. The annual, average and incremental costs of radiographers and radiologists reporting A&E radiographs were calculated and a sensitivity analysis was undertaken. The introduction of the radiographers resulted in a 1% (95% CI -7.9 to 5.9) fall in A&E radiograph reporting accuracy and 11% (95% CI -33.7 to 11.3) reduction of cases in which incorrect A&E reports might have a clinically important effect on patient management. Only two A&E reports (one before and one after the intervention) affected patient outcome in that a fracture missed at the first visit resulted in patient re-attendance to the X-ray Department. There was a saving of 361 pounds per annum to the X-ray Department. In conclusion this study provides further evidence that selectively trained radiographers can accurately report A&E plain radiographs and at no additional cost.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Radiology Department, Hospital
/
Radiography
/
Hospital Costs
/
Emergency Service, Hospital
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Health_economic_evaluation
/
Observational_studies
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Br J Radiol
Year:
2005
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United kingdom