S C Ladd1, U Krause, M E Ladd. 1. Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie und Neuroradiologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen. susanne.ladd@uni-duisberg-essen.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The legal and medical basis for chest radiographs as part of pre-employment examinations (PEE) at a University Hospital is evaluated. The radiographs are primarily performed to exclude infectious lung disease. METHODS: A total of 1760 consecutive chest radiographs performed as a routine part of PEEs were reviewed retrospectively. Pathologic findings were categorized as "nonrelevant" or "relevant." RESULTS: No positive finding with respect to tuberculosis or any other infectious disease was found; 94.8% of the chest radiographs were completely normal. Only five findings were regarded as "relevant" for the individual. No employment-relevant diagnosis occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of chest radiography as part of a PEE is most often not justified. The practice is expensive, can violate national and European law, and lacks medical justification.
BACKGROUND: The legal and medical basis for chest radiographs as part of pre-employment examinations (PEE) at a University Hospital is evaluated. The radiographs are primarily performed to exclude infectious lung disease. METHODS: A total of 1760 consecutive chest radiographs performed as a routine part of PEEs were reviewed retrospectively. Pathologic findings were categorized as "nonrelevant" or "relevant." RESULTS: No positive finding with respect to tuberculosis or any other infectious disease was found; 94.8% of the chest radiographs were completely normal. Only five findings were regarded as "relevant" for the individual. No employment-relevant diagnosis occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of chest radiography as part of a PEE is most often not justified. The practice is expensive, can violate national and European law, and lacks medical justification.
Authors: F Willgeroth; M Baumann; D Blaser; A Crispin; S Froschauer; J de Waal; S Heywang-Köbrunner; D Hölzel; V Kääb; R Rothe; V Stich; S Thomaschewski; D Walter Journal: Radiologe Date: 2005-03 Impact factor: 0.635
Authors: A S Aljafari; E A G Khalil; K E Elsiddig; I A El Hag; M E Ibrahim; M E M O Elsafi; A M Hussein; I M Elkhidir; G S Sulaiman; A M Elhassan Journal: Cytopathology Date: 2004-02 Impact factor: 2.073