Utilización de estudios de diagnóstico radiológico en una unidad de especialidades médicas / Use of the radiological explorations in a medical specialities department

RESUMEN Fundamento y objetivo: Analizar la utilización de los estudios radiográficos y la adecuación de cada solicitud a las guías de indicación de exámenes radiológicos. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio prospectivo que incluye las exploraciones radiológicas en 202 pacientes hospitalizados entre enero y abril de 2006. Se recogieron los datos demográficos, el diagnóstico, los exámenes radiológicos, el objetivo clínico de la solicitud y el servicio solicitante. La indicación se evaluó por dos médicos en relación a las recomendaciones de las guías internacionales. Resultados: El 27,3% de las solicitudes de las exploraciones radiológicas no se adecuaron a los criterios de indicación. El servicio peticionario, el tipo de estudio radiográfico y el objetivo diagnóstico de la radiografía se asociaron con una indicación apropiada (p < 0,0001). Entre las solicitudes con intención diagnóstica, la detección de alteraciones radiológicasse asoció con una indicación adecuada (p < 0,0001). Conclusión: El uso apropiado de las exploraciones radiológicas fue similar a lo publicado en otros estudios. La indicación inadecuada parece asociarse con el uso de la radiografía simple, con estudios de seguimiento de la enfermedad y con las solicitudes de la Unidad de Medicina Intensiva

Background and objectives: To analyse the use of the radiological examinations and the adequacy of every request to the guidelines of indication of radiological investigations. Patients and methods: A prospective survey that includes the explorations carried out in 202 patients hospitalised between January and April of 2006. The demographic data, the diagnosis, the radiological exams, the clinical aim of the requests and the requesting department were analysed. The appropriateness was assessed according to the international criteria of adequacy by two experienced physicians. Results: Twenty-seven percent out of the requests of radiological investigations was no adapted to the reference criteria. The requesting department, the type of radiographies and the diagnostic aim of the radiological studies were associated with an appropriate indication (p <0.0001). Among the radiographies with diagnostic aim, the detection of radiological alterations was associated with a suitable indication of the request (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The appropriate use of the radiological explorations was similar to other published reports. The inadequate indication seems to be associated with the use of simple radiographic explorations, with follow-up studies and with the requests from Intensive Care Unit

[Use of the radiological exploration in a medical specialities department]. / Utilización de estudios de diagnóstico radiológico en una unidad de especialidades médicas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To analyse the use of the radiological examinations and the adequacy of every request to the guidelines of indication of radiological investigations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective survey that includes the explorations carried out in 202 patients hospitalised between January and April of 2006. The demographic data, the diagnosis, the radiological exams, the clinical aim of the requests and the requesting department were analysed. The appropriateness was assessed according to the international criteria of adequacy by two experienced physicians. RESULTS: Twenty-seven percent out of the requests of radiological investigations was no adapted to the reference criteria. The requesting department, the type of radiographies and the diagnostic aim of the radiological studies were associated with an appropriate indication (p < 0.0001). Among the radiographies with diagnostic aim, the detection of radiological alterations was associated with a suitable indication of the request (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The appropriate use of the radiological explorations was similar to other published reports. The inadequate indication seems to be associated with the use of simple radiographic explorations, with follow-up studies and with the requests from Intensive Care Unit.