Brealey, S., King, D.G., Hahn, S. et al. (5 more authors) (2005) The costs and effects of introducing selectively trained radiographers to an A&E reporting service: a retrospective controlled before and after study. The British Journal of Radiology, 78 (930). pp. 499-505. ISSN 0007-1285
Abstract
The costs and effects of introducing selectively trained radiographers reporting accident and emergency (A&E) radiographs of the appendicular skeleton in a district general hospital were assessed using a retrospective controlled before and after design. Reference standard reports were compared with a random stratified sample of 200 A&E and 200 general practitioner (GP) reports before and after the intervention. GP reports were used as a non-intervention, non-equivalent control group. An A&E specialist registrar judged whether incorrect A&E reports might have a clinically important effect on patient management. The effect of incorrect A&E reports on outcome was assessed by patient re-attendance to the hospital because of missed abnormalities. The annual, average and incremental costs of radiographers and radiologists reporting A&E radiographs were calculated and a sensitivity analysis was undertaken. The introduction of the radiographers resulted in a 1% (95% CI –7.9 to 5.9) fall in A&E radiograph reporting accuracy and 11% (95% CI –33.7 to 11.3) reduction of cases in which incorrect A&E reports might have a clinically important effect on patient management. Only two A&E reports (one before and one after the intervention) affected patient outcome in that a fracture missed at the first visit resulted in patient re-attendance to the X-ray Department. There was a saving of £361 per annum to the X-ray Department. In conclusion this study provides further evidence that selectively trained radiographers can accurately report A&E plain radiographs and at no additional cost.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Health Sciences (York) |
Depositing User: | York RAE Import |
Date Deposited: | 11 Feb 2009 12:57 |
Last Modified: | 11 Feb 2009 12:57 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/1259/bjr/51196310 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Brit Institute of Radiology |
Identification Number: | 10.1259/bjr/51196310 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:7764 |