Investigating the causes of repeats in plain film radiography: A prospective study

Sara Salman, H M Qasim Younas and Farah Akram

Investigating the causes of repeats in plain film radiography: A prospective study

Sara Salman, H M Qasim Younas and Farah Akram

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Pakistan

: J Diagn Tech Biomed Anal

Abstract

Objective: Repeats have been a major obstacle in the way of good radiographic practice. It is essential to minimize the number of repeats performed on patients in order to minimize radiation hazards. This study was performed to investigate the causes of repeats so that improvement could be made in radiographic practice and the patient care delivered. Methods: A prospective study was done to collect the data. In this study all types of X-rays performed in the Radiology Department of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre were included. 100 repeat X-rays were included in the data and their causes were ruled out. Results: The study revealed that 37% X-rays were repeated due to the presence of artifacts. The percentage of repeats due to overuse of collimation, lack of patient cooperation, poor inspiration/expiration and image quality were 26%, 20%, 10% and 7% respectively. Conclusion: It is concluded that presence of artifacts and collimation were the two major reasons for repeats in plain film radiography. The findings from this study suggest that radiographers should optimize the image quality and should try to improve it without giving high doses of radiation to the patient. The region under examination should be cleared and all types of radio-opaque objects should be removed. The radiographers should thoroughly communicate the procedure to the patient ensuring maximum patient cooperation. This will help to improve the radiographic practice and consequently the patient care delivered.