Inadequate Completion of Computed Tomography Request Forms of Patients Visiting the Department of Radiology in a Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

Introduction: From both medical and legal points of view, it is vital that computed tomography request forms should be adequately filled up. It is the responsibility of physicians to collect adequate clinical information that justifies the computed tomography examination and the ethical responsibility of radiological technologists and radiologists is to perform only the justified radiological examinations. Thus, a properly filled request form is crucial for understanding the clinical problem, using the proper protocol for avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure and providing concise radiological reports. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of inadequate completion of computed tomography request forms of patients visiting the Department of Radiology of a tertiary care centre.

Methods: This descriptive study was performed in the Department of Radiology from 22 April 2021 to 21 April 2022 after receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Computed tomography request forms from emergency, ward and outpatient Departments were used in the study whereas that from other hospitals and clinics were excluded. A convience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval.

Results: Out of 470 computed tomography examination forms, the prevalence of inadequate computed tomography request forms was 195 (41.49%) (37.03-45.94, 95% Confidence Interval).

Conclusions: The prevalence of the inadequacy of completion of computed tomography examination forms was higher than other similar studies done in similar settings.