title: The use of skull X-rays in the accident and emergency department.
abstract: The notes of all patients attending the accident and emergency department at the Royal Berkshire Hospital with a head injury from 1-30 September 1999 were analysed for the indications for skull X-ray, the report on film, and the outcome of the consultation. Using the existing Royal Berkshire Hospital guidelines, 50% (193/385) of all patients had skull X-rays performed. One fracture was detected. If the recent guidelines from The Royal College of Surgeons of England Working Party for the use of skull X-rays in institutions which possess a CT scanner were applied, the number of skull X-rays performed would reduce from 193 to 14 without detriment to any patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: R D A
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Dodds
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006767:Hospitals, District / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data