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A two-cycle prospective audit of temporal bone computed tomography scan requests: improving the clinical applicability of radiology reports

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 January 2014

A Qureishi ,
G Garas ,
J Shah  and
J Birchall
A Qureishi*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
G Garas
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
J Shah
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroradiology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
J Birchall
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr A Qureishi, 9 Cranbourne Close, Slough SL1 2XH, UK E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background:

Radiologists require accurate clinical information to formulate reports. This is particularly relevant to computed tomography of the temporal bone, in which previous surgery can mimic disease.

Objectives:

The information provided with temporal bone computed tomography scan requests was evaluated. The study aimed to minimise inappropriate requests and improve the clinical value of reports.

Method:

A two-cycle prospective audit was undertaken using a proforma designed on the basis of national guidelines. Following the first cycle (in which the requests and reports of 100 scans were evaluated), new guidelines and training were implemented. A follow-up audit (of 50 scans) was then performed.

Results:

Following intervention, the percentage of clinically relevant reports increased from 52 to 94 (p < 0.01), whilst unnecessary or inappropriate scan requests decreased from 11 to 2 per cent (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Optimising the clinical value of temporal bone computed tomography scan requests will have positive implications for patient care, time management and cost. The quality of the clinical information provided can have a significant impact on the clinical value of radiology reports, and can mean that unnecessary irradiation is avoided.

Keywords

Computed Tomography, X-RayTemporal BoneRadiologyClinical Audit
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 128 , Issue 1 , January 2014 , pp. 49 - 52
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2014 

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Footnotes

Presented orally at the Royal Society of Medicine, 5 October 2012, London, UK.

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