title: Reducing missing fracture clinic radiographs by entrusting them to patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Missing radiographs in fracture clinics may compromise fracture management and lead to inappropriate use of clerical resources.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively compared the number of missing radiographs in two hospitals over a period of two months. In hospital A the radiographs were retained and in hospital B they were entrusted to the patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the completion of the study, entrusting patients with their radiographs resulted in statistically less radiographs missing from the clinic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London, UK.
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Calder
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hynes
authors.forename: W David
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Goodier
mesh_terms: D005568:Forms and Records Control; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D010358:Patient Participation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000592:standards*