Accuracy of radiographers red dot or triage of accident and emergency radiographs in clinical practice: a systematic review

AIM:

To determine the accuracy of radiographers red dot or triage of accident and emergency (A&E) radiographs in clinical practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eligible studies assessed radiographers red dot or triage of A&E radiographs in clinical practice compared with a reference standard and provided accuracy data to construct 2×2 tables. Data were extracted on study eligibility and characteristics, quality, and accuracy. Pooled sensitivities and specificities and chi-square tests of heterogeneity were calculated.

RESULT

Three red dot and five triage studies were eligible for inclusion. Radiographers' red dot of A&E radiographs in clinical practice compared with a reference standard is 0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85–0.89] and 0.92 (0.91–0.93) sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Radiographers' triage of A&E radiographs of the skeleton is 0.90 (0.89–0.92) and 0.94 (0.93–0.94) sensitivity and specificity, respectively; and for chest and abdomen is 0.78 (0.74–0.82) and 0.91 (0.88–0.93). Radiographers' red dot of skeletal A&E radiographs without training is 0.71 (0.62–0.79) and 0.96 (0.93–0.97) sensitivity and specificity, respectively; and with training is 0.81 (0.72–0.87) and 0.95 (0.93–0.97). Pooled sensitivity and specificity for radiographers without training for the triage of skeletal A&E radiographs is 0.89 (0.88–0.91) and 0.93 (0.92–0.94); and with training is 0.91 (0.88–0.94) and 0.95 (0.93–0.96).

CONCLUSION

Radiographers red dot or triage of A&E radiographs in clinical practice is affected by body area, but not by training.