[Referral of patients with fever for ultrasound abdominal scans].
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of ultrasound referrals of patients with fever and/or inflammation markers based on C-reactive protein (CRP) from the department of medicine to the department of radiology.


METHODS
The quality of 109 referrals was evaluated retrospectively based on sufficient anamnesis, description of objective findings, and presence of fever and/or inflammation markers and/or liver parameters. Fever was defined as a temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius.


RESULTS
Ultrasound scans proved 50 positive findings and 59 were categorised normal. There was no significant difference in the referrals of registrars and other medical doctors with regard to the presence of positive scanning findings (p=0.26). No significant difference between radiologists and trained radiographers was observed with regard to the ultrasound scan result (p=0.34). In 55% of the cases the referrals contained no information on symptoms, objective findings (60%), presence of fever (26%) and CRP +/- liver parameters (36%)


CONCLUSIONS
The quality of the referrals of patients with fever from the department of medicine to the department of radiology is not optimal. Prospective studies are needed.
Christensen
Anne F
AF
Vejle Sygehus, Medicinsk Afdeling. a.christensen@email.dk
Ejlersen
Ejler
E
Rafaelsen
Søren R
SR
D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000032:analysis; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography
D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D002097:C-Reactive Protein