OBJECTIVE: To assess whether a simple strategy would sustain a reduction in the number of unnecessary x ray examinations. DESIGN: Use of posters to display guidelines encouraging the more effective use of radiology in patients with head injuries, twisted ankles, neck injuries, and abdominal pain. SETTING: Accident department of a large metropolitan district general hospital. PATIENTS: 15,875 patients attending the accident department over two years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Proportion of patients having radiography. RESULTS: Referrals for skull radiography fell from 56% to 20% and those for abdominal radiography fell from 31% to 7%. Referral patterns for adults attending with twisted ankles and cervical spine injuries did not change. Reductions were sustained over two years. CONCLUSION: Carefully designed posters provide a simple method of reducing unnecessary x ray examinations.
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether a simple strategy would sustain a reduction in the number of unnecessary x ray examinations. DESIGN: Use of posters to display guidelines encouraging the more effective use of radiology in patients with head injuries, twisted ankles, neck injuries, and abdominal pain. SETTING: Accident department of a large metropolitan district general hospital. PATIENTS: 15,875 patients attending the accident department over two years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Proportion of patients having radiography. RESULTS: Referrals for skull radiography fell from 56% to 20% and those for abdominal radiography fell from 31% to 7%. Referral patterns for adults attending with twisted ankles and cervical spine injuries did not change. Reductions were sustained over two years. CONCLUSION: Carefully designed posters provide a simple method of reducing unnecessary x ray examinations.
Authors: S J Masters; P M McClean; J S Arcarese; R F Brown; J A Campbell; H A Freed; G H Hess; J T Hoff; A Kobrine; D F Koziol Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1987-01-08 Impact factor: 91.245