Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-20T11:45:19.093Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Diagnostic Imaging in Small Hospitals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2009

N. T. Racoveanu
Affiliation:
World Health Organization
D. A. Fresle
Affiliation:
World Health Organization

Abstract

Diagnostic imaging in small hospitals is discussed. Four key questions are answered: (1) Are diagnostic imaging technologies necessary at this level? (2) Which technologies should be chosen and why? (3) How can they be most rationally and cost effectively used? (4) How can their total impact on health care be assessed? The paper concludes that small hospitals should have diagnostic imaging facilities and that the modalities of choice are diagnostic radiology and ultrasonography. A detailed description is given of the WHO Basic Radiological System and General Purpose Ultrasonographic equipment together with WHO recommendations for the rational use of diagnostic imaging.

Type
Special Section: The Organization and Use of Technology in the Hospital Part II: Case Studies
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.A rational approach to radiodiagnostic investigations. Report of a WHO scientific group on the indications and limitations of major x-ray diagnostic investigations. Technical Report Series 689. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1983.Google Scholar
2.Brederhoff, J., & Racoveanu, N. T.Radiological services throughout the world. Diagnostic Imaging, 1982, 51, 121–33.Google ScholarPubMed
3.Cockshott, W. P.Diagnostic radiology: Geography of a high technology American Journal of Roentgenology, 1979, 132, 339–44.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Eisenberg, J. M., & Nicklin, D.Use of diagnostic services by physicians in community practice. Medical Care, 1983, 21, 157167.Google Scholar
5.Epstein, A. M., Hartley, R. M., Charlton, J. R., et al. A comparison of ambulatory test ordering for hypertensive patients in the United States and England. Journal of the American Medical Association, 1984, 252, 1723–26.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Future use of new imaging technologies in developing countries. Report of a WHO Scientific Group, Technical report series 723. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1985.Google Scholar
7.Hanson, G. P.Essential radiology: The PAHO/WHO System. Paper presented at the XIV Interamerican Congress of Radiology, Buenos Aires, 1217 October 1986 (unpublished).Google Scholar
8.Holm, T.Experiences with a basic radiographie system (BRS-WHO). Diagnostic Imaging, 1982, 51, 149–54.Google Scholar
9.Holm, T.New developments in basic radiographie systems. European Journal of Radiology, 1983, 3, 291–3.Google Scholar
10.Holm, T., Palmer, P. E. S., & Lehtinen, E.WHO BRS manual of radiographie technique. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1986.Google Scholar
11.Lehtinen, E., & Fresie, D.Medical diagnostic ultrasound. World Health, 06 1985, 1820.Google Scholar
12.Palmer, P. E. S.Appropriate technology for diagnostic imaging in small hospitals, British Medical Journal, 1984, 288, 1435–37.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Palmer, P. E. S.Basic radiological system. World Health, 06 1985, 46.Google ScholarPubMed
14.Palmer, P. E. S.Now you need an x-ray examination. British Medical Journal, 1981, 283, 6297, 933935.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15.Palmer, P. E. S.WHO BRS manual of darkroom technique. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1986.Google Scholar
16.Palmer, P. E. S., Cockshott, W. P., Hegedus, V., & Samuel, E.WHO BRS manual of radiographie interpretation for general practitioners. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1985.Google Scholar
17.Racoveanu, N. T.Towards a basic radiological service. World Health Forum, 1981, 2, 521–24.Google Scholar
18.Racoveanu, N. T.A WHO training package aimed at improving the use of radiology for underserved populations. WHO Chronicle, 1986, 40, 135–40.Google ScholarPubMed
19.Rational use of diagnostic imaging in paediatrics. Report of a WHO Scientific Group. Geneva: World Health Organization, (in print).Google Scholar
20.Reiser, S. J.Medicine and the reign of technology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1978.Google Scholar
21.WHO/PAHO. A primary care radiological system. Report of a meeting held in Washington, DC, 17–25 March 1975.Google Scholar
22.WHO/UNICEF, Primary health care. Report of the International Conference on Primary Health Care, Alma Ata, 6–12 September 1978. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1978.Google Scholar