title: [Evaluation of plain abdominal radiography prescriptions in a university hospital center].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the prescription, impact and diagnostic utility of plain abdominal radiography in a University Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plain abdominal radiography series performed over 15 consecutive days were evaluated for quality and agreement with the patient's clinical status. Agreement between the final diagnosis and the radiographic findings were also compared. Contribution of plain abdominal radiography to final diagnosis was assessed on the basis of the conclusions on the hospital discharge report or from those drawn from a telephone survey. The same relationship was also assessed in terms of clinician status (medical student, resident physician, senior physician).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The series included 175 radiography series (11.6 per day). In 86% of the cases, the choice of views was adapted to the clinical context. In 14% it was not. The quality of the x-rays was found to be unsatisfactory in 17%, good in 63% and excellent in 20%. The radiography was considered to be contributive to the final diagnosis in 13% of the cases and non-contributive in 87%. Clinician status was not correlated with the degree of usefulness for final diagnosis. Finally, the prescription was in agreement with standard guidelines in 28% of the cases and not in agreement in 72%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plain abdominal radiographs are neither sensitive nor specific, frequently misleading, and costly per specific and correct diagnosis. Better physician awareness is required to limit the number of unnecessary examinations.
authors.affiliation: Service de Radiologie générale, Hôpital de Bicêtre, 78, rue du Général Leclerc, F 94275 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Tasu
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takun
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rocher
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Livartowski
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miquel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spira
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ellrodt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bléry
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005602:France; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control; D011859:Radiography / Q000592:standards*