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Audit of demand for after‐hours CT scanning services in RANZCR ‐accredited training departments
Author(s) -
Goergen Stacy K,
Grimm Jane,
Paul Eldho,
Fabiny Robert,
Lee Wai Kit,
Blome Steven,
Zhou Kim,
Munro Philip L
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of medical imaging and radiation oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1754-9485
pISSN - 1754-9477
DOI - 10.1111/1754-9485.12409
Subject(s) - medicine , staffing , emergency department , workload , audit , nursing , management , economics
The aims of this study were to measure: (i) the growth in after‐hours emergency department – referred CT ( ED – CT ) performed in accredited training departments between 2011 and 2013; (ii) the growth in ED CT relative to growth in ED presentations at the same hospitals; and (iii) trainee workload resulting from after‐hours ED CT . Methods Ethics approval was obtained for all participating sites. Accredited training facilities in A ustralia and N ew Z ealand with three or more trainees and serving one or more EDs were invited to participate (N = 32). Four nights were surveyed between A ugust and D ecember 2013. For data collection, the number of ED patients having one or more CT scans; ED CT scan total images; non‐contrast head CTs ; and ED patients (total and categories 1 and 2) attending the ED in the preceding 24 h and first half of calendar year were collected for 2013 and corresponding days in 2012 and 2011. Trainee staffing levels were measured. Results Eleven of 32 sites provided data for all four nights and 14 of 32 for one or more nights. A 15.7% increase in number of ED CTs between 1700 and 2200 h and 16.8% increase between 2201 and 0730 h occurred in the 2 years between 2011 and 2013 compared with a 6.9% increase in overall ED and 26% increase in categories 1 and 2 presentations over the same period. The number of CT images, however, increased 23%. Conclusion Growth in demand by EDs for after‐hours CT services has implications for service provision and trainee workloads in R oyal A ustralian and N ew Z ealand C ollege of R adiologists‐accredited training departments.