After‐hours radiology

SUMMARYAfter‐hours radiological procedures are essential but expensive in any major teaching hospital. Using the criteria that radiological procedures performed after‐hours should have a reasonable probability of influencing or changing patient management acutely, a study of the justification of after‐hours radiological procedures was performed at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Computer print‐outs were used to select the patients based on the dates and times of the procedures. Their charts were then reviewed. The study found that most after‐hours radiological procedures were justified. However, it also identified certain procedures that need not be performed or at least could be reduced after‐hours. The procedures were: (i) computed tomography (CT) head – epilepsy, meningitis; (ii) CT abdomen – trauma (intubated) – unable to examine abdomen; (iii) CT spine – obvious unstable fractures; (iv) Ultrasound abdomen – biliary colic (afebrile); and (v) Ultrasound kidneys – renal failure (afebrile).