How Well Are We Respecting Patient Privacy in Medical Imaging? Lessons Learnt From a Departmental Audit.
OBJECTIVE
Preservation of patient privacy and dignity are basic requirements for all patients visiting a hospital. The purpose of this study was to perform an audit of patients' satisfaction with privacy whilst in the Department of Medical Imaging (MI) at the Civic Campus of the Ottawa Hospital.


METHODS
Outpatients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography (US), and plain film (XR) examinations were provided with a survey on patient privacy. The survey asked participants to rank (on a 6-point scale ranging from 6 = excellent to 1 = no privacy) whether their privacy was respected in 5 key locations within the Department of MI. The survey was conducted over a consecutive 5-day period.


RESULTS
A total of 502 surveys were completed. The survey response rate for each imaging modality was: 55% MRI, 42% CT, 45% US, and 47% XR. For each imaging modality, the total percentage of privacy scores greater than or equal to 5 were: 98% MRI, 96% CT, 94% US, and 92% XR. Privacy ratings for the MRI reception and waiting room areas were significantly higher in comparison to the other imaging modalities (P = .0025 and P = .0227, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, patient privacy was well respected within the Department of MI.
The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus Medical Imaging Department, Division of Radiology, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: mdilauro@toh.on.ca.
Marc
M
Dilauro
The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus Medical Imaging Department, Division of Radiology, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Rebecca
R
Thornhill
The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus Medical Imaging Department, Division of Radiology, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Najla
N
Fasih
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D006272:Health Facility Environment; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018907:Privacy; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
Clinical audit; Patient privacy