title: Reducing the use of plain abdominal radiographs in an emergency department.
abstract: Plain abdominal radiographs are ordered frequently in emergency departments. Previous studies have shown that these radiographs are often requested inappropriately with little likelihood of producing useful information. This study shows that the overall number can be reduced significantly, with little risk to patients, when clear guide-lines are applied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Fremantle Hospital, Western Australia.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Jelinek
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Banham
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D014463:Ultrasonography