ADEQUATE COMPLETION OF RADIOLOGY REQUEST FORMS AT NEWCASTLE DENTAL HOSPITAL: A TWO-CYCLE AUDIT

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> The usefulness of a radiologic examination and its report can be reduced significantly if the clinical background and specific problem to be answered are not given in the request. Inadequate information can lead to mistakes in patient identification and delay in returning reports to the correct destination. <h3>Objective(s)</h3> The aim of this audit was to assess current request forms to determine if sufficient information was provided. The audit aims to ensure the quality of care provided to patients and to identify ways to assist clinicians to provide adequate information when requesting a report. <h3>Study Design</h3> Data were randomly collected from 53 patient records, where a radiologic request was made from the Oral Surgery department using the current request forms. Forms were analyzed against 8 criteria and recorded as either "criteria met" or "criteria not met." Data were recorded on a collection table and analyzed to determine what percentage of radiology request forms could be deemed adequate and, when not, what the failing criteria were. A new form was then constructed considering the failings of the first cycle of data collection. The new radiology request form was then used for a period of 3 months and a second cycle of data collected. <h3>Results</h3> The first cycle of the audit revealed that 0% of request forms met the standard, with 100% of forms omitting at least 1 of the criteria measured. Following the implementation of the redesigned form, the second cycle revealed that 70% of all forms met all criteria and could be deemed as adequate. <h3>Discussion/Conclusions</h3> The new request form has dramatically improved the way the forms are completed. Marked improvement was noted in the information provided by clinicians on the new forms, showing that the new design helps to prompt clinicians to provide adequate information for reports to be generated.