Ionising radiation (medical exposure) regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 and their implications for Accident and Emergency (A&E) doctors in training.
With the introduction of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (IRMER) the medical practitioner faces greater accountability when requesting radiological investigations. The referrer (usually a doctor or dentist) must supply sufficient medical data to justify radiation exposure to a patient. These regulations can lead to criminal prosecution if breached. Our objectives were to identify the level of unjustified requests for plain abdominal radiography among A&E doctors and whether there is a statistically significant difference in the justification of request between doctors of differing experience. We reviewed and prepared statistical analysis of 100 A&E request forms for plain abdominal radiography. Royal College of Radiologist Guidelines were used as a "Gold standard" for justification of the investigation. A&E doctors of less than six months experience are at greater risk of breaching these regulations when requesting plain abdominal films, when compared to more experienced doctors. This is a serious issue which should be addressed at undergraduate and pre-registration level in addition to ongoing audit.
Bell
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Belfast City Hospital.
McLaughlin
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006300:Health Services Misuse; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal / Q000592:standards*