Alyssa Finger1, Mark Harris2, Emily Nishimura3, Hyo-Chun Yoon4. 1. Senior Undergraduate Student at Creighton University in Omaha, NE (amf70738@creighton.edu). 2. Traumatic Brain Injury Clinical Research Coordinator at the University of California, San Francisco (mark.harris2@ucsf.edu). 3. Junior Undergraduate Student at Pomona College in Claremont, CA (emna2016@mymail.pomona.edu). 4. Assistant Chief of Diagnostic Imaging for the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group (hyo-chun.yoon@kp.org).
Abstract
CONTEXT: As the use of computed tomography (CT) scans, which are expensive and result in considerable radiation exposure to the patient, continues to increase, communication between physicians and radiologists remains vital to explain the clinical context for the examination. However, the clinical information provided to the radiologist is often lacking. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the clinical information provided in CT scan requests meets minimum criteria for requesting the examination. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical indications for 400 CT chest scans and 400 CT abdomen/pelvis scans performed from January 1, 2016, through March 8, 2016. We determined whether each CT study indication was complete on the basis of whether the clinical information included an adequate clinical history with 1) a primary symptom, 2) the location of the symptom, and 3) the duration of the symptom as well as a suspected etiology. RESULTS: Of the CT chest indications, 56 (14.0%) of the clinical histories were considered complete and 17 (4.3%) had none of the components. A principal etiology was included in 195 (48.8%) of the indications. Of the CT abdomen/pelvis indications, 94 (23.5%) of the clinical histories were complete and 13 (3.3%) had none of the components. A principal etiology was included in 173 (43.3%) of the indications. Only 23 (5.8%) of the CT chest studies and 35 (8.8%) of the CT abdomen/pelvis studies had information considered sufficient for the radiologist. CONCLUSION: The percentage of complete clinical indications for both CT chest and abdomen/pelvis scans was much lower than 50%, suggesting that more emphasis should be placed on providing complete clinical indications.
CONTEXT: As the use of computed tomography (CT) scans, which are expensive and result in considerable radiation exposure to the patient, continues to increase, communication between physicians and radiologists remains vital to explain the clinical context for the examination. However, the clinical information provided to the radiologist is often lacking. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the clinical information provided in CT scan requests meets minimum criteria for requesting the examination. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical indications for 400 CT chest scans and 400 CT abdomen/pelvis scans performed from January 1, 2016, through March 8, 2016. We determined whether each CT study indication was complete on the basis of whether the clinical information included an adequate clinical history with 1) a primary symptom, 2) the location of the symptom, and 3) the duration of the symptom as well as a suspected etiology. RESULTS: Of the CT chest indications, 56 (14.0%) of the clinical histories were considered complete and 17 (4.3%) had none of the components. A principal etiology was included in 195 (48.8%) of the indications. Of the CT abdomen/pelvis indications, 94 (23.5%) of the clinical histories were complete and 13 (3.3%) had none of the components. A principal etiology was included in 173 (43.3%) of the indications. Only 23 (5.8%) of the CT chest studies and 35 (8.8%) of the CT abdomen/pelvis studies had information considered sufficient for the radiologist. CONCLUSION: The percentage of complete clinical indications for both CT chest and abdomen/pelvis scans was much lower than 50%, suggesting that more emphasis should be placed on providing complete clinical indications.
Authors: Ch Triantopoulou; I Tsalafoutas; P Maniatis; D Papavdis; G Raios; I Siafas; S Velonakis; E Koulentianos Journal: Eur J Radiol Date: 2005-02 Impact factor: 3.528
Authors: Mark E Mullins; Michael H Lev; Dawid Schellingerhout; Walter J Koroshetz; R Gilberto Gonzalez Journal: AJR Am J Roentgenol Date: 2002-07 Impact factor: 3.959
Authors: Akintunde O Akintomide; Anthonia A Ikpeme; Affiong I Ngaji; Nchiewe E Ani; Appolline T Udofia Journal: J Family Med Prim Care Date: 2015 Jul-Sep