title: X-ray reporting in accident and emergency departments--an area for improvements in efficiency.
abstract: All Accident and Emergency departments in England seeing more than 20,000 new patients each year were surveyed for the extent and mechanism of their radiological reporting service. A total of 190 of the 210 departments replied, 39% of these departments were not satisfied with the service available to them. A 'hot' reporting service was available in 2.6% of departments and 49% did not have films reported in under 48 h. The methods used to detect radiological abnormalities missed by the A&E doctor were investigated further. A total of 60% of departments had a traditional reporting system but 29% had introduced systems that required the A&E doctor to include his or her radiological diagnosis with the films prior to their being returned to the X-ray department for reporting. This allowed rapid audit of radiological assessment. Its introduction to all A&E departments is recommended.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Accident & Emergency Medicine, Hope Hospital, Salford, Manchester.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bracegirdle
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Yates
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004526:Efficiency; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D015274:Interdepartmental Relations; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011873:Radiology Information Systems