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Background: Radiology departments present unique challenges compared to other departments due to exposure to radiation and the specialized nature of the work. Nurses must not only manage typical nursing duties but also adhere to strict safety protocols to minimize radiation exposure. These additional responsibilities can significantly impact their work engagement and overall job satisfaction. Objective: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with work engagement among nurses working at prefectural designated cancer care hospitals in Japan. Identifying these factors may lead to improvements in future work environments and educational systems. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using an internet-based survey. A questionnaire using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) was conducted among 317 nurses; 140 responded (response rate: 44.2%). Results: Significant associations were found between work engagement and several factors. The mean UWES score was 54.3 (Standard deviation (SD): 18.4). Work engagement was positively associated with age (B = 0.179, p = 0.03), being male (B = 0.19, p = 0.015), higher position (B = 0.199, p = 0.012), desire for radiology assignments (B = 0.223, p = 0.003), and presence of a radiation exposure consultation system (B = 0.214, p = 0.034). Conclusions: This study identified several factors associated with work engagement among radiology nurses, highlighting the importance of specialized support systems to address radiation-related concerns. These findings can inform interventions to enhance work engagement and well-being in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical imaging has undergone significant technical advancements in recent years, posing a considerable challenge for radiologists to stay up-to-date with emerging modalities and their applications in daily practice. This challenge is even more daunting in developing countries with limited resources compared to the US and other developed nations with greater economic assets. The collaboration between the United States and other advanced nations with radiological institutions in Latin America has been a significant achievement in the pursuit of new opportunities for continuous medical education. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of international collaborations among Spanish-speaking Latin American institutions and radiologists through a survey. A group of radiologists and institutions from various countries, including the USA, Spain, and Argentina, who have been working together for several years to improve Radiology education across Latin America, were selected. An online survey was conducted. The survey included questions about interest in the activities, participation, and impact of radiologic education during these educational efforts. The survey received responses from 166 participants, all of whom reported knowledge of at least one type of educational activity. The most well-known activity was ALAT Webinars. The primary motivators for participation were the quality of the content and the opportunity to learn new information. Additionally, improving local education in radiology and receiving expert advice on radiology issues were identified as priorities for participation in international collaborations. The Cronbach alpha coefficient was calculated for individual and global Likert questions, resulting in a global score of 0.96. The study confirms the significance of a multifaceted approach to address gaps in radiology education. While traditional models have relied on hosting international visitors or sending US teachers abroad, the results suggest that using a variety of methods will have a greater impact than relying on a single technique for those who benefit most from collaborative efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Radiology departments present unique challenges compared to other departments due to exposure to radiation and the specialized nature of the work. Nurses must not only manage typical nursing duties but also adhere to strict safety protocols to minimize radiation exposure. These additional responsibilities can significantly impact their work engagement and overall job satisfaction. Objective This study aimed to identify the factors associated with work engagement among nurses working at prefectural designated cancer care hospitals in Japan. Identifying these factors may lead to improvements in future work environments and educational systems. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using an internet-based survey. A questionnaire using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) was conducted among 317 nurses; 140 responded (response rate: 44.2%). Results Significant associations were found between work engagement and several factors. The mean UWES score was 54.3 (Standard deviation (SD): 18.4). Work engagement was positively associated with age (B = 0.179, p = 0.03), being male (B = 0.19, p = 0.015), higher position (B = 0.199, p = 0.012), desire for radiology assignments (B = 0.223, p = 0.003), and presence of a radiation exposure consultation system (B = 0.214, p = 0.034). Conclusions This study identified several factors associated with work engagement among radiology nurses, highlighting the importance of specialized support systems to address radiation-related concerns. These findings can inform interventions to enhance work engagement and well-being in this field.

Abstract The Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA) minimum competency framework requires all Australian radiographers to identify significant pathology in radiological images and take appropriate action to alert these urgent findings and ensure patient safety. Despite professional bodies endorsing the provision of preliminary image evaluations (PIE) in written format, radiographer image interpretation often remains inconsistent, informal, or undocumented. The purpose of this narrative review was to assess the literature to determine if PIE in the form of written radiographer comments is of value to the Australian healthcare system. A structured search was completed using four health research databases: CINAHL, Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. Studies have suggested that there is a contextual need for commenting due to increased imaging service pressures, radiologist shortages and subsequent reporting delays. Radiographers appear well placed and willing to provide accurate initial input with evidence that this would be valued and appreciated within the multidisciplinary team. Radiographer commenting has also been shown to reduce diagnostic and communicative errors with the potential to improve patient management. Finally, it was shown that participation in image interpretation practices can enhance recruitment, retention and job satisfaction among radiographers. Therefore, the current literature supports implementation of radiographer commenting within the Australian healthcare system.

The Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA) minimum competency framework requires all Australian radiographers to identify significant pathology in radiological images and take appropriate action to alert these urgent findings and ensure patient safety. Despite professional bodies endorsing the provision of preliminary image evaluations (PIE) in written format, radiographer image interpretation often remains inconsistent, informal, or undocumented. The purpose of this narrative review was to assess the literature to determine if PIE in the form of written radiographer comments is of value to the Australian healthcare system. A structured search was completed using four health research databases: CINAHL, Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. Studies have suggested that there is a contextual need for commenting due to increased imaging service pressures, radiologist shortages and subsequent reporting delays. Radiographers appear well placed and willing to provide accurate initial input with evidence that this would be valued and appreciated within the multidisciplinary team. Radiographer commenting has also been shown to reduce diagnostic and communicative errors with the potential to improve patient management. Finally, it was shown that participation in image interpretation practices can enhance recruitment, retention and job satisfaction among radiographers. Therefore, the current literature supports implementation of radiographer commenting within the Australian healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Infection, prevention, and control (IPC) practices are essential to protect patients and staff within healthcare facilities. Radiology departments cater to both inpatients and outpatients, and breaches of IPC practice have led to outbreaks of disease within healthcare facilities. This study aims to examine the knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) of computed tomography (CT) radiographers and nurses in their infection, prevention, and control (IPC) practice. The KAP components focuses on the CT environment, contrast injector use, and workplace factors that impact IPC practice. Methods A cross-sectional KAP survey was distributed online to Australian CT radiographers and radiology nurses across different institutions. The survey covered demographics, each KAP component, and workplace culture. Spearman’s correlation was used to compare KAP scores. Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare the KAP scores between demographic categories, and Chi Square was used to compare demographic data with workplace culture. Results There were 147 respondents, 127 of which were radiographers and 20 were nurses. There was a moderate positive correlation between knowledge and attitude for radiographers (rho = 0.394, p

Background: The Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) plays a critical role in modern healthcare by preserving and retrieving medical images. To the best of our knowledge, this study stands as the first of its kind conducted within the Egyptian healthcare landscape, aiming to evaluate the transformative effects of PACS in an oncology setting specifically in the Minia Oncology Center. This study highlights the primary objective of PACS which lies in enhancing the routing, retrieval, and display capabilities of medical images within radiology departments. The PACS acts as a centralized repository for imaging data and reports. The transition from film-based imaging to PACS-based digital systems signifies a paradigm shift in healthcare, leveraging technological advancements to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and optimize resource utilization. Methods: Minia Oncology Centers is a governmental center and it belongs to the Ministry of Health and Population at Upper Egypt. It provides a lot of medical, surgical, and diagnostic oncological services for the Minia governorate population. The study involved a comparative analysis of various metrics pre and post-PACS implementation. Descriptive statistics such as means, standard deviations, and percentages were calculated to assess changes in image retrieval times, report delivery intervals, and cost-related variables. Results: The results of this study vividly demonstrate the transformative impact of PACS implementation within the Minia Oncology Center's radiology department. The PACS significantly enhanced workflow efficiency, substantially reduced image-reporting delivery times for routine and emergency cases, and notably streamlined patient data management. The statistical assessments conducted, including paired t-tests and chi-square tests, underscored the significance and reliability of these observed improvements post-PACS implementation. This is translated into better patient care and marked cost reductions associated with film-based systems. Conclusion: This study provides compelling evidence of PACS's substantial impact on the Minia Oncology Center's radiology department. The system's implementation resulted in improved workflow efficiency, faster image retrieval, and enhanced collaboration among healthcare professionals. The PACS not only facilitated better patient care through improved diagnostic accuracy but also significantly reduced operational costs associated with traditional film-based imaging methods.

Background: The Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) plays a critical role in modern healthcare by preserving and retrieving medical images. To the best of our knowledge, this study stands as the first of its kind conducted within the Egyptian healthcare landscape, aiming to evaluate the transformative effects of PACS in an oncology setting specifically in the Minia Oncology Center. This study highlights the primary objective of PACS which lies in enhancing the routing, retrieval, and display capabilities of medical images within radiology departments. The PACS acts as a centralized repository for imaging data and reports. The transition from film-based imaging to PACS-based digital systems signifies a paradigm shift in healthcare, leveraging technological advancements to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and optimize resource utilization. Methods: Minia Oncology Centers is a governmental center and it belongs to the Ministry of Health and Population at Upper Egypt. It provides a lot of medical, surgical, and diagnostic oncological services for the Minia governorate population. The study involved a comparative analysis of various metrics pre and post-PACS implementation. Descriptive statistics such as means, standard deviations, and percentages were calculated to assess changes in image retrieval times, report delivery intervals, and cost-related variables. Results: The results of this study vividly demonstrate the transformative impact of PACS implementation within the Minia Oncology Center's radiology department. The PACS significantly enhanced workflow efficiency, substantially reduced image-reporting delivery times for routine and emergency cases, and notably streamlined patient data management. The statistical assessments conducted, including paired t-tests and chi-square tests, underscored the significance and reliability of these observed improvements post-PACS implementation. This is translated into better patient care and marked cost reductions associated with film-based systems. Conclusion: This study provides compelling evidence of PACS's substantial impact on the Minia Oncology Center's radiology department. The system's implementation resulted in improved workflow efficiency, faster image retrieval, and enhanced collaboration among healthcare professionals. The PACS not only facilitated better patient care through improved diagnostic accuracy but also significantly reduced operational costs associated with traditional film-based imaging methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Speech recognition is becoming increasingly common in the national healthcare system. One of the first specialties to implement this technology on a large scale was radiology. However, the efficiency of voice input and its effect on the length of time required to complete medical records remain unresolved. AIM: To assess the efficiency of speech recognition in generating radiological protocols of different modalities and types. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at the Moscow Reference Center of the Research and Practical Clinical Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine Technologies of the Moscow Department of Health. A total of 12,912 radiological reports on fluorography, mammography, chest computed tomography (CT), contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, and contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis were included in the study by simple random sampling. The size of all samples exceeded 766 reports, calculated with regard to the size of the general population of over 100,000 reports. The Voice2Med software was used to fill in the radiological protocols. Intergroup comparison was performed using the MannWhitney U-test with a statistical significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The average duration of generating fluorographic protocols in the keyboard and voice input groups was 189.9 s (0:03:09) and 236.2 s (0:03:56), respectively (p 0.0001). For mammographic reports, the duration was 387.1 s (0:06:27) and 444.8 s (0:07:24), respectively (p 0.0001). For radiographic reports, it amounted to 247.8 s (0:04:07) and 189.0 s (0: 03:09), respectively (p 0.0001), and for chest CT, it was 379.7 s (0:06:19) and 382.7 s (0:06:22), respectively (p=0.12). For MRI of the brain, the protocols were generated for 709.9 s (0:11:49) and 559.9 s (0: 09:19), respectively (p 0.0001), and for contrast-enhanced chest, abdominal, and pelvic CT scans, it took 2714.6 s (0:45:15) and 1778.4 s (0:29:38), respectively. Voice input slowed down the preparation time of mammographic and fluorographic protocols. This is due to the use of a structured electronic medical document in medical facilities to describe the results of the examinations. Speech recognition showed the greatest efficiency in generating MRI and CT protocols. Such reports contain a large number of pathological changes, both target and incidental findings, which requires a detailed description by the radiologist in the examination protocol. CONCLUSIONS: Speech recognition in generating radiological protocols showed different efficiency depending on the modality and type of the radiological protocol filled in using the voice input system. This approach is optimal for describing CT and MRI scans.

Background: Infection, prevention, and control (IPC) practices are essential to protect patients and staff within healthcare facilities. Radiology departments cater to both inpatients and outpatients, and breaches of IPC practice have led to outbreaks of disease within healthcare facilities. This study aims to examine the knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) of computed tomography (CT) radiographers and nurses in their infection, prevention, and control (IPC) practice. The KAP components focuses on the CT environment, contrast injector use, and workplace factors that impact IPC practice. Methods: A cross-sectional KAP survey was distributed online to Australian CT radiographers and radiology nurses across different institutions. The survey covered demographics, each KAP component, and workplace culture. Spearman's correlation was used to compare KAP scores. Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare the KAP scores between demographic categories, and Chi Square was used to compare demographic data with workplace culture. Results: There were 147 respondents, 127 of which were radiographers and 20 were nurses. There was a moderate positive correlation between knowledge and attitude for radiographers (rho = 0.394, p < 0.001). Radiographers also had a moderate positive relationship between attitudes and practice (rho = 0.466, p < 0.001). Both radiographers and nurses scored high in the knowledge section of the survey, but nurses had statistically significant higher practice scores than radiographers (p = 0.014). CT radiographers who had an IPC team in their workplace or worked in public hospitals, had statistically significant higher attitudes and practice scores. Age, education, and years of experience did not impact on KAP scores. Conclusion: The study found that radiographers and nurses had a good baseline knowledge of standard precautions. IPC teams and continued training is important to positively influence knowledge and attitudes of health professionals towards IPC practice. The KAP survey was a useful tool to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practice on IPC of CT radiographers and nurses and identified areas for education, interventions, and leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the application value and role of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) management mode in nursing quality and safety management of radiology department. The clinical data of 320 patients were analyzed retrospectively and were divided into control group and study group. For the control group, 160 patients received routine nursing. For the observation group, 160 patients underwent PDCA circulation nursing management. The scores for nursing quality management, the nursing satisfaction, waiting time, and adverse event occurrence for the radiology department were recorded and analyzed between 2 groups. Compared with the control group, the scores for nursing quality management and the nursing satisfaction of the radiology department were significantly increased (all p <.05), while waiting time and adverse event occurrence were obviously decreased (all p <.05). Significantly statistical differences were observed between the 2 groups. Applying PDCA management to the nursing safety management of radiology department can effectively improve the nursing quality and safety management, improve the nursing satisfaction, and reduce waiting time and adverse event occurrence. PDCA management would exert great potential, and application value in the management of radiology department in the future. • It is necessary to constantly strengthen the management of nursing safety in radiology department to reduce injuries caused by medical errors. • The new nursing mode based on PDCA can effectively improve the nursing quality and safety of the radiology department, elevate patient satisfaction, and reduce waiting time and adverse event occurrence. • The new model of PDCA circulation nursing management is worthy of clinical promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Radiologists need to learn more about the management of their emotions and their impact on individual well-being as well as proper communication within the radiology realm. OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the relationship between joining social events organized by the radiology department of Al-Ahrar Teaching Hospital and the emotional intelligence of radiologists. METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on 82 radiologists at the Radiology Department of Al-Ahrar Teaching Hospital, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. This was preceded by a pilot study among radiologists, and modification of the questionnaire items to be more precise. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: it assessed sociodemographic, personnel, and workplace characteristics of the participants; social events' related factors, and emotional intelligence of radiologists. RESULTS: 52.4% of radiologists had moderate emotional intelligence scores, and 24.4% had high emotional intelligence scores. High emotional intelligence scores were significantly associated and positively correlated with the increased participants' years of work experience and frequency of attending social events, and the overall impression of the events. The radiologists' overall impression of the social events was the only significant independent predictor of a high emotional intelligence score. CONCLUSION: The majority of the participants in this study had moderate to high emotional intelligence scores. The social events that were organized by the radiology department succeeded in crossing-over the gaps in communication and workflow knowledge that take place due to significant personnel turnover and should be considered for improving team preparedness and communication in similar workplaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections acquired in hospitals are a major concern for patients, professionals and policymakers. They have an impact on the morbidity and mortality rates, length of stay, and microbial resistance. Radiology departments are at high risk for nosocomial infections, and radiographers must adhere to infection control protocols to avoid contracting illnesses and the spread of pathogens. The purpose of this study was to assess radiographers' knowledge and practise of infection control and standard precautions in the Gaza Strip-Palestine government hospitals and to identify the factors that impede radiographers' implementation of infection control. A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study design was applied. A self-administered questionnaire survey with 24 items was developed and distributed to examine radiographers' knowledge and practise of nosocomial infections control and standard precautions from September 2019 to February 2020. Descriptive and inferential statistics were generated using SPSS version 20. With a response rate of 86.6%, 73 males and 37 females out of a total of 127 radiographers participated in this study. The vast majority of radiographers, 86 (78.2%), have never been trained in infection control. Total levels of knowledge and practise were 74.4% and 65.2%, respectively which corresponded to moderate levels. Age had a statistically significant impact on both knowledge and practise scores (P = 0.002 and p = 0.019, respectively). In addition, the differences between radiographers' years of work experience and their ratings on knowledge and practise were statistically significant (P = 0.001 and p = 0.011, respectively). A heavy workload, insufficient time, and a lack of training were the main barriers to implementing infection control measures in hospitals. Palestinian radiographers reported a moderate level of knowledge and practise of infection control. The majority of radiographers have never had formal infection control training. This paper has highlighted the need for a continuing education and training programme for practising radiographers to improve their performance in infection control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic ushered in rapid changes in healthcare, including radiology, globally. This review discusses the impact of the pandemic on various radiology departments globally. We analyze the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the imaging volumes, finances, and clinical operations of radiology departments in 2020. Studies from health systems and outpatient imaging centers were analyzed, and the activity throughout 2020 was compared to the pre-pandemic activity, including activity during similar timeframes in 2019. Imaging volumes across modalities, including MRI and CT scans, were compared, as were the Relative Value Units (RVUs) for imaging finances. Furthermore, we compared clinical operations, including staffing and sanitation procedures. We found that imaging volumes in private practices and academic centers decreased globally. The decreases in volume could be attributed to delayed patient screenings, as well as the implementation of protocols, such as the deep cleaning of equipment between patients. Revenues from imaging also decreased globally, with many institutions noting a substantial decline in RVUs and revenue compared with pre-COVID-19 levels. Our analysis thus found significant changes in the volumes, finances, and operations of radiology departments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issues of quality medical care management and organization of the work of the department of radiation diagnostics are always relevant and require constant monitoring and analytical expertise. Since 2018, the Moscow regional branch of the Russian Society of Radiologists and Radiologists (MRO PORR) has been conducting an independent assessment of the departments of radiation diagnostics in all the regions of Russia. The rating aimed to identify industry leaders and spread the best practices throughout the country. The survey results identified the positive trends in the development of diagnostic care services throughout the country and critical points that affect the quality of work of medical organizations. This study presents an analysis of the functioning of 123 departments of radiation diagnostics in 2020. After meeting the inclusion criteria, a list of 163 medical organizations in 15 cities of 7 federal districts was formed. The evaluation procedure was divided into three stages. The first stage consisted of an online survey, wherein each of the participating organizations was asked to answer questions about the departments work arrangement, equipment, list, and features of performing diagnostic tests, as well as working with patients. The second stage consisted of a clinical and technical audit of a set of anonymized studies with conclusions. Special attention was paid to technical audits since several medical organizations violated the methodology of conducting research. The third stage included checking the information about medical organizations in open sources. During the first and second stages, points were awarded, based on which the finalists, leaders, and rating winners were selected. According to the evaluation results of all stages,31 organizations reached the final stage,6 were in the group of leaders, and 5 were winners, whereas 45% of the finalists belonged to the Central Federal District. Greater interest was found in the auditing work in municipal and private medical institutions than in departmental and federal ones. Some database has been collected, in addition to the list of winners, which may represent a cross-section of the state of the radiation diagnostics service in the Russian Federation. Conducting such competitions is primarily aimed at improving the quality and safety of X-ray examinations. The methodology of the competition is improved every year.

With nearly 70% of adults in the United States using at least one social media platform, a social media presence is increasingly important for departments and practices. Patients, prospective faculty and trainees, and referring physicians look to social media to find information about our organizations. The authors present a stepwise process for planning, executing, and evaluating an organizational social media strategy. This process begins with alignment with a strategic plan to set goals, identification of the target audience(s), selection of appropriate social media channels, tracking effectiveness, and resource allocation. The article concludes with a discussion of advantages and disadvantages of social media through a review of current literature. ©RSNA, 2018.

Social media has become integrated within the profession of medicine, and emergency radiology has inevitably felt the impact of its presence. Emergency radiologists are encouraged to consider the advantages of embracing the digital era and the benefits it may bring to our careers. We aim to present the best practice guidelines for emergency radiologists and radiology departments. This paper is a product of the American Society of Emergency Radiology Social Media (ASER) Committee workgroup and represents the best practices of the society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections contracted during healthcare delivery in a hospital or ambulatory setting are collectively referred to as healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Healthcare workers and patients alike are vulnerable to serious problems as a result of the risk of HAIs. In the healthcare system, HAIs are considered among the most common and serious health problems. However, the occurrence of HAIs differs between different types of clinical departments within the hospital. Recently, the risk of HAIs has been increasing in radiology departments globally due to the central role of radiology in guiding clinical decisions for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of different diseases from almost all medical specialties. The radiology department is particularly vulnerable to HAIs because it serves as a transit hub for infected patients, non-infected patients, and healthcare workers. Furthermore, as the number of patients referred to radiology and the length of patient contact time has increased, thanks to modern imaging techniques such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, the risk of HAIs has also increased significantly. With the increasing use of interventional radiological procedures, patients and healthcare workers face a potentially greater risk of contracting HAIs due to the invasive nature of such procedures. Although not exhaustive, we attempted through a literature search to provide a general overview of infection prevention and control practices, address HAIs in the radiology departments, and highlight the challenges and measures taken to control infection transmission in the radiology departments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Abdominal pain is a common symptom in people of different ages due to various benign and life-threatening causes. Imaging studies, including computerized tomography (CT) scans, explore the clinical reasons behind this pain to prevent delayed diagnosis. Owing to abnormal findings, timely identification of the exact cause of abdominal pain is important in most diseases so treatment can be started earlier, but it has not yet been studied, making this research novel. This study was conducted to identify the prevalence of abnormal CT scan findings among referred patients with abdominal pain and to confirm or determine other diagnoses compared to other imaging modalities in the Emergency Department (ED). Methods: This observational retrospective study was conducted at the King Fahad Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Qassim. We included 2,144 patients who visited the ED and underwent abdominal CT scans between January 2021 and January 2022. Data on age, sex, CT findings, and results from other imaging modalities were collected from the Radiology Department. Results: We found that 2,144 patients referred from the ED to the Radiology Department complained of acute abdominal pain in 2021 for CT diagnosis. Approximately 28.2% of these patients had normal CT diagnoses. The average age at normal CT diagnosis was 38.6 years old. While 52% of CT diagnoses were abnormal, including obstructive ureteric stone (435, 20.3%), appendicitis (205, 9.6%), bowel obstruction (51, 2.4%), renal cancer (27, 1.3%), ovarian cancer (25, 1.2%), and obstructive bladder stone (25, 1.2%), with an average age of 40.4 years old, and 19% with accidental findings. Conclusions: Most of the cases with abdominal pain showed abnormal results in the CT scan. These results demonstrate the sole inefficiency of CT scan for the diagnosis of abdominal pain. So, clinical evaluations should be used together with abdominal ultrasonography to perform a timely and exact diagnosis.

PurposeIonizing radiation is implicated in nearly 2% of malignancies in the United States; radiation shields prevent unnecessary radiation exposure during medical imaging. Contemporary radiation shield utilization for adult patients in the United States is poorly defined. Therefore, we evaluated the prevalence of protective shielding utilization in adult patients undergoing CT scans in United States' hospitals.Materials and methodsAn online survey was sent to established radiology departments randomly selected from the 2015 American Hospital Association Guide. Radiology departments conducting adult CT imaging were eligible; among 370 eligible departments, 215 departments accepted the study participation request. Questions focused on shielding practices during CT imaging of the eyes, thyroid, breasts, and gonads. Prevalence data were stratified per hospital location, size, and type. Main outcomes included overall protective shielding utilization, respondents' belief and knowledge regarding radiation safety, and organ-specific shielding prevalence.ResultsSixty-seven of 215 (31%) hospitals completed the survey; 66 (99%) reported familiarity with the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle and 56 (84%) affirmed their belief that shielding is beneficial. Only 60% of hospitals employed shielding during CT imaging; among these institutions, shielding varied based on CT study: abdominopelvic CT (13, 33%), head CT (33, 83%), or chest CT (30, 75%).ConclusionsAmong surveyed hospitals, 40% do not utilize CT shielding despite the majority acknowledging the ALARA principle and agreeing that shielding is a beneficial practice. Failure to address the low prevalence of protective shielding may lead to poor community health due to increased risk of radiation-related cancers.

In today's workflow, radiologists rely on the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) to view images. Unplanned downtime causes significant delays in patient care and lengthy downtimes can have lasting effects on patient care and end-user confidence. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the planning and implementation of a disaster drill where the departmental PACS was taken off-line and the hospital enterprise viewer was used for departmental image interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The current COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in marked and rapid changes to the standing policies of radiology departments globally. The aim of this review article is to describe the various processes implemented by a radiology department in an educational institution in a resource limited country during the COVID-19 crisis, giving insights into the adopted strategies in other institutions in developed countries. Main body Our preparedness strategy was directed into five main domains: protection and wellness of radiology faculty and staff, radiological examinations and patients’ safety, education, research, and financial support. By implementing new strategies, we found that work reorganization through the use of home PACS provided safe and effective reporting service, low infection rate with zero mortality, and online lectures and theses defense were successful. Furthermore, governmental support and donations were helpful in facing financial challenges during the pandemic. A comprehensive literature review search for policies adopted by other radiology departments in the world was performed. The adopted strategies of various centers are generally similar to ours aiming for mitigating the spread of the virus, keeping good patients’ care, and maintaining the educational process. Few policy differences across institutions were found in the reporting strategy of COVID-19 pneumonia and according to the availability of resources. Conclusion Covid-19 pandemic has opened the door for changes in the radiology department policies with renewed focus on educational, clinical, and scientific strategies. Documentation of the dynamic modifications of everyday practices and lessons learned are important as a reference for preparedness for possible second surge or future crisis.

Objectives: To assess screening quality metrics and to describe mortality rates eight years after redesign of breast cancer screening and diagnosis pathways, and the introduction of digital breast tomosynthesis. Setting: Breast Unit of the Toledo Health Area in the region of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain). Methods: We recorded screening metrics and mortality data following the introduction of digital breast tomosynthesis in 2011 for screening and diagnosis pathways. We then compared the mortality between Toledo Health Area and the rest of Castilla-La Mancha, where digital breast tomosynthesis is not available. Results: All screening quality metrics improved following the introduction of digital breast tomosynthesis. The cancer detection rate significantly increased from 2.3 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9–3.6) to 4.5 per 1000 women (95% CI: 3.2–5.2) on average between the periods 2005–2009 and 2015–2018, while the recall rate significantly decreased from 7.0% (95% CI: 6.8%–8.2%) to 2.6% (95% CI: 2.0%–3.6%). Comparing breast cancer mortality rates for 2014–2018 in the Toledo Health Area with the rest of Castilla-La Mancha, which had similar cancer treatment access and management protocols but without digital breast tomosynthesis, the crude mortality rate was 17.79 (95% CI: 15.38 -20.19) vs. 24.76 per 100,000 (95% CI: 26.12–23.39), respectively. The cumulative risk of death was also significantly lower for the Toledo Health Area than for Castilla-La Mancha. Conclusion: The introduction of digital breast tomosynthesis improved screening quality indicators. Breast cancer mortality simultaneously decreased with respect to the rest of Castilla-La Mancha. Further research is needed to assess the long-term results, and the role that the redesign may have played in reducing mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections contracted during healthcare delivery in a hospital or ambulatory setting are collectively referred to as healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Healthcare workers and patients alike are vulnerable to serious problems as a result of the risk of HAIs. In the healthcare system, HAIs are considered among the most common and serious health problems. However, the occurrence of HAIs differs between different types of clinical departments within the hospital. Recently, the risk of HAIs has been increasing in radiology departments globally due to the central role of radiology in guiding clinical decisions for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of different diseases from almost all medical specialties. The radiology department is particularly vulnerable to HAIs because it serves as a transit hub for infected patients, non-infected patients, and healthcare workers. Furthermore, as the number of patients referred to radiology and the length of patient contact time has increased, thanks to modern imaging techniques such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, the risk of HAIs has also increased significantly. With the increasing use of interventional radiological procedures, patients and healthcare workers face a potentially greater risk of contracting HAIs due to the invasive nature of such procedures. Although not exhaustive, we attempted through a literature search to provide a general overview of infection prevention and control practices, address HAIs in the radiology departments, and highlight the challenges and measures taken to control infection transmission in the radiology departments.

Objective To explore the value of case-based learning rounds(CBL) with application of PACS in the training of diagnostic capacity of radiology clinicians. Methods Peking University third hospital radiology department carried out the CBL rounds with application of PACS for 41 CT training clinicians in 2018, then compared with 39 CT training clinicians (without CBL rounds) in 2017. Ten reports written by each clinician(reported during the last training monthes) were randomly inspected from the PACS report system before and after the CBL rounds.These reports were scored, the excellent and good rate was calculated. The scoring criteria include accurate description of lesion imaging features, standardized report content, reasonable diagnosis logic, answering questions from clinical application form, making reasonable suggestions for further diagnosis and treatment, and no missed diagnosis. At the same time, questionnaires were used to evaluate the subjective feelings of training clinicians for CBL rounds, including comprehensive understanding of diseases, improvement of clinical analysis ability, reading images ability, and learning interest, and help of PACS for learning, expressed by percentage. Results 1)After CBL teaching, the report quality scores of clinicians increased(P＜0.01). 2)Satisfaction rate of clinicians was 90.2%,68.3%,80.5%, 75.6% and 80.5% respectively. Conclusions CBL rounds with application of PACS system is an effective method to train the diagnosis capacity of radiology clinicians.

The ACR Task Force on Medical Student Education in Radiology, in partnership with the Alliance of Medical Student Educators in Radiology, investigated the current status of how and to what extent medical imaging was being taught in medical schools. The task force executed a 3-part survey of medical school deans, radiology department chairs, and intern physicians. The results provided an updated understanding of the status of radiology education in medical schools in the United States. This summary includes recommendations about how individual radiology departments and ACR members can assist in advancing the specialty of diagnostic radiology through medical student education.

Background: Calculating the cost of services enables the existing resources to be used in the most efficient and effective way possible. Time- Driven Activity Based Costing is a method that, in addition to costing, also calculates the efficiency and unused capacity of resources. The purpose of this study was to use this method to calculate the costs of radiology and CT scans services in two hospitals. Materials & Methods: The present cross-sectional and retrospective research was done in a descriptive-analytic manner in two hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2018. Data were collected in designed Excel forms, and costs of services were calculated using Time- Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) method. Results: The cost of most radiology services and total CT scan services in the government sector was more than that of the private sector. The unused capacity of resources in the public sector was more than private sector. The time spent for providing the services in the two hospitals was the same except for the technicianchr('39')s career. The average cost of radiology services was 223324 in hospital (A), and 194094 Rials in hospital (B). The average cost of the CT scan services was 600522 in hospital (A), and 485230 Rials in hospital (B). Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, the need for human resources management to reduce unused capacity and increase efficiency, as well as improving service delivery processes in order to reduce the time required to provide services seems necessary. Replacing low-cost resources is another solution that is effective in reducing costs. The standards of the most efficient centers of health services are often worth the benchmarking.

Imaging is essential for the initial diagnosis and monitoring of the novel coronavirus, which emerged in Wuhan, China. This study aims to assess the insight of radiographers on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their work routine and if protective measures are applied. A prospective observational study was conducted among radiographers registered in the Cyprus Society of Registered Radiologic Technologists & Radiation Therapy Technologists. A questionnaire composed of 28 multiple choice questions was utilised, and the data analysis was performed using SPSS software with the statistical significance assumed as p-value < 0.05. Out of 350 registered radiographers, 101 responses were received. The results showed that there are statistically significant differences regarding the working hours, the feeling of stress, the work effectiveness, the average examination time, the presence of a protocol used among the different workplaces of the participants; a private radiology centre, a private hospital or a public hospital, with a p-value 0.0022, 0.015, 0.027, 0.001, 0.0001 respectively. Also, statistically significant differences were observed in the decontamination methods used for equipment (p-value 0.007), for air (p-value 0.04) and when decontamination takes place (p-value 0.00032) among the different workplaces of the participants. Nonetheless, the majority of radiographers believe that their workplace is sufficiently provided with PPE, cleaning supplies, equipment, and with cleaning personnel and are optimistic regarding the adequacy of these provisions in the next three months. This study showed that in the Republic of Cyprus, there are protocols regarding protective measures against COVID-19, and the radiographers are adequately trained on how to face an infectious disease outbreak. However, work is needed in order to develop protocols that reassure the safety of patients and medical personnel while managing the excess workload effectively. This study indicates the importance of applying protective measures and protocols in the radiology departments in order to minimise the spread of the virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: The service bottlenecks arising from the ill-managed patient flow and poor scheduling processes result in excessively long waiting time for patients. Purpose: To analyze the patient flow system and optimize the scheduling of patients in the radiology department of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the radiology department of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. It involved real-time observation of work process on 768 adult ambulant patients. The waiting time, arrival pattern, and service time for each patient were noted. The analytical software, MATLAB, was used for data analysis and system modeling. Results: Patient arrival time pattern was highly stochastic with a mean arrival rate of 7 ± 5.4 patients/h noted for one day. The peak arrival hour was 7.00–10.00 h with an arrival rate of 12 patients/h and average service time of 15 min was obtained. The overall mean waiting time in the system was calculated to be 116 min. The waiting time varied significantly with the arrival rate (at P < 0.05). Conclusion: Service bottlenecks in the Radiology departments can be addressed through good patient flow management that can be achieved by adopting an optimal scheduling system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This survey conducted by the International Society of Radiology and supported by the European Society of Radiology aimed to collect information regarding radiology departments' current practices in the management of patients with COVID-19. Methods: Responses from 50 radiology departments involved in the management of COVID-19 patients representing 33 countries across all continents were analyzed. The analysis revealed important variations in imaging practices related to COVID-19 across the world for different disease severity and various clinical scenarios. Results: Imaging is usually not performed in asymptomatic patients (69% of institutions do not image) but is used at the end of confinement (in 60% of institutions). In the majority of institutions, chest imaging is used in suspected or confirmed patients with COVID-19 (89% and 94%). All imaging departments involved in this survey reported the use of imaging in COVID-19 patients showing severe symptoms or who were critically ill. However, there is a wide variation in imaging modality type used for each clinical scenario. The use of imaging is applied in line with existing guidelines and recommendations in 98% of institutions with structured reporting recorded in 58% of institutions. The vast majority of institutions reported a significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the imaging department's routine activity (83%). Conclusion: We believe that the results of this survey will help to understand current heterogeneities in radiology practice and to identify needs and gaps in the organization and function of radiology departments worldwide in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this survey may inform the development of an overall strategy for radiology department organization and imaging protocols in pandemic conditions. Key Points: • The results of this survey, which included responses from 50 radiology departments representing 33 countries, showed important variations in imaging practices related to COVID-19 across the world. • While imaging is usually not performed in asymptomatic patients (69% of institutions), it is used in suspected or confirmed patients with COVID-19, in COVID-19 patients showing severe symptoms or who were critically ill, and at the end of confinement (89%, 94%, 100%, 100%, 60% of institutions, respectively). However, there is a wide variation in imaging modality type used for each clinical scenario. • In 98% of institutions, the use of imaging is applied in line with existing guidelines and recommendations, with structured reporting recorded in 58% of institutions. COVID-19 pandemic made a significant impact on the imaging department's routine activity in 83% of institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turki M Alanzi, Bashayr Alshahrani Department of Health Information Management and Technology, College of Public Health, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of social media in the Radiology Department at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare in Saudi Arabia.Methods: The research was a cross-sectional study in which 90 workers from the staff personnel of the Radiology Department at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare were invited to a web-based survey using Google Forms. Fifty-seven participants responded to the survey (63%). Basic descriptive statistics were used to analyze the responses.Results: More than half of the participants (54.8%) were technologists. The majority of the respondents (61.4%) had a Bachelor’s degree, and 50.8% of them had more than 10 years of experience. Also, 36.8% of the participants were between 30 and 40 years old, and 57.9 of them were males. Similarly, most of the participants (61.4%) were from Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the most frequently used application was WhatsApp (59.6%). Likewise, almost half of the participants (47.4%) managed social media multiple times a day and more than half of them used these tools to communicate with friends (68.4%) and family members (61.4%). As well, 12% of the respondents employed these media to study and 20% used them for professional reasons. Also, 38.6% of respondents had no barriers to use social media. However, the rest considered that time, private matters, negative replies, lack of information and experience, and uncertainty about the usefulness of social media were barriers.Conclusion: According to the survey, most of the personnel of the Radiology Department at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare often used WhatsApp to communicate with family (61.4%) and friends (68.4%), and less than half of them employed these tools for educational purposes (21.1%) and professional issues (35.1%). Additionally, participants considered that there were some barriers related to the use of these tools. Keywords: radiology department, social media use, Saudi Arabia, survey

Medical staff in radiology departments faces a higher risk of infection and a heavier workload during the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. High perceived stress levels endanger physical and mental health and affect work efficiency and patient safety. Therefore, it is urgent to understand the perceived stress levels of medical staff and explore its risk factors. We recruited 600 medical staff from the radiology departments of 32 public hospitals in Sichuan Province, China, to evaluate perceived stress scores via a mobile app-based questionnaire. The results showed that the perceived stress level among medical staff in the radiology departments during the COVID-19 outbreak was high and a sense of tension was strongly present. A positive correlation was found between anxiety score and perceived stress. Multivariate analysis showed that risk factors for perceived stress were female, existing anxiety, and fears of being infected at work, an uncontrollable outbreak, and not being able to pay rent or mortgage. Conversely, good knowledge about COVID-19, being unmarried, and working in a higher-grade hospital were protective factors for perceived stress. Therefore, more attention should be given to medical staff in the radiology departments that present the risk factors outlined above. Timely risk assessment of psychological stress and effective intervention measures should be taken for these high-risk groups to keep their perceived stress within normal limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction - Nosocomial Infections are a current health problem worldwide. The relationship between these infections and the radiology department is poorly explored, but it deserves special attention due to the growing number of people in need of radiological exams. There is great relevance in examining the equipment and the support material used in radiology to determine their colonization by pathogens. The presence of these microorganisms is serious and must be reflected in the improvement of disinfection practices carried out by radiology services. This work aims to Investigate if the equipment of the radiology department can be a potential source of hospital infections. Methods - Here, 41 samples of 4 radiology departments of different hospitals in Lisbon were collected with sterile swabs. These samples were incubated 18h-24h in BHI and were then transferred to Cetrimide, MacConkey, and Plate Count Agar media. Results - None of the samples showed contamination by Gram-negative bacteria, although it was seen noticeable contamination by Gram-positive bacteria in 75% of all cultures. Discussion - The presence of Gram-positive bacteria shows that the practices of prevention and control of infections can be improved. However, there is a complete elimination of all Gram-negative bacteria, which is positive, including pathogens strongly associated with hospital infections like Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and bacteria from the Enterobacteriacea family. Conclusions - It cannot be ruled out that the surfaces of radiology departments are sources of nosocomial infection transmission, and it is pertinent to improve infection control practices to solve this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chest computed tomography (CT) scan has been used widely to diagnose COVID-19 in Iran. Objectives: To trace the footsteps of COVID-19 in Iran by exploring the trend in using chest CT scans and its economic impact on radiology departments. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the number of imaging examinations from 33 tertiary radiology departments in 9 large cities of Iran was collected from September 23, 2019 to March 20, 2020 (Months 1 to 6) and the corresponding months in 2018-2019. Results: A 50.2% increase was noted in the chest CT scan utilization in 2019-2020 compared to 2018-2019. This increase was +15%, +15%, +27%, +2%, +1% in Months 1-5 of 2019-2020, respectively. In Month 6 of 2019-2020, a 251% increase in the acquisition of chest CT scans was observed compared to the Month 6 of 2018-2019. Following negative balance of revenue from Month 1 to 5 with respect to the inflation rate, the total income in Month 6 was further 1.5% less than the same Month in 2018-19. Conclusion: The observed peak in chest CT utilization in Month 3 prior to the surge in Month 6 could be explained by the seasonal influenza. However, unawareness about an emerging viral disease, i.e. COVID-19, might have underutilized chest CT in Months 4 and 5 before the official announcement in Month 6. The unbalanced increase in the workload of radiology departments in the shortage of cardiothoracic radiologists with the simultaneous decrease in income initiated a vicious cycle that worsened the economic repercussions of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale and Objectives: Following state and institutional guidelines, our Radiology department launched the "Recover Wisely" for all nonurgent radiology care on May 4, 2020. Our objective is to report our practice implementation and experience of COVID-19 recovery during the resumption of routine imaging at a tertiary academic medical center.Materials and Methods: We used the SQUIRE 2.0 guidelines for this practice implementation. Recover Wisely focused on a data driven, strategic rescheduling and redesigning patient flow process. We used scheduling simulations and meticulous monitoring and control of outpatient medical imaging volumes to achieve a linear restoration to our pre-COVID imaging studies. We had a tiered plan to address the backlog of rescheduled patients with gradual opening of our imaging facilities, while maintaining broad communication with our patients and referring clinicians.Results: Recover Wisely followed our anticipated linear modeling. Considering the last 10 weeks in the recovery, outpatient growth was linear with an increase of approximately 172 cases per week, (R2 =0.97). We achieved an overall recovery of 102% in week 10, as compared to average weekly pre-COVID outpatient volumes. The modalities recovered as follows in outpatient volumes: CT (113%), MRI (101%), nuclear medicine including PET (138%), mammograms (97%), ultrasound (99%) and interventional radiology (106%). When compared to identical 2019 calendar weeks (May 4, 2020-July 10, 2020), the total 2020 radiology volume was 11% reduced from the 2019 volume. The reduction in total weighted relative value units was 8% in this time period, as compared to 2019.Conclusion: Our department utilized a data-driven, team approach based on our guiding principles to "Recover Wisely." We created and implemented a methodology that achieved a linear increase in outpatient studies over a 10-week recovery period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to determine the effect of PACS implementation on the radiologist reporting time and utilization of radiology services in a hospital in Iran. This study was conducted in three 6-month periods (before PACS implementation, immediately after the implementation, and 1 year after implementation). Data related to reporting time of CT examinations were collected from 5074 patients with 6613 examinations and compared using the Friedman test. The utilization rate of radiology services was conducted about CT scans and radiographies. Therefore, 17,862 patients with 36,321 radiographies and 7155 patients with 10,571 CT scans were evaluated, and the ratio of the number of examinations to the number of patients and patient days was compared in three periods. The mean of reporting time on CT scan examinations in the period of immediately after PACS was changed compared to the period of before PACS from 13.05 to 24.18 days and compared to 1 year after PACS implementation, to 4.14 days (P value < 0.05). The utilization rate in CT scans, 1 year after PACS increased at least 10% to 25% compared to the immediately after PACS and before implementing PACS. The utilization rate in radiographies, 1 year after PACS, increased at least 16% to 78% compared to the immediately after PACS and before PACS implementation. In conclusion, the mean of the radiologist reporting time for CT scans is significantly decreased by PACS in the long-term. Additionally, the utilization rate of radiology services is increased in the short- and long-term after PACS implementation in most examinations of CT scan and radiography examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 epidemic, which is caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has spread rapidly to become a world-wide pandemic. Chest radiography and chest CT are frequently used to support the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. However, multiple cases of COVID-19 transmission in radiology department have been reported. Here we summarize the lessons we learned and provide suggestions to improve the infection control and prevention practices of healthcare workers in departments of radiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Imaging tests are essential for diagnosis in the emergency context and convey clinical information that is essential to assess the appropriateness of the tests and improve their interpretation. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the imaging tests requested by the Emergency Department in a district hospital. Material and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed computed tomography and ultrasound scans requested by the Emergency Department at the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve and considered the following variables: requested test, clinical information provided (complete/incomplete), appropriateness of the test (appropriate/inappropriate), outcome (presence/absence of relevant findings) and findings related to the clinical information (yes/no). Pearson’s chi-squared and odds ratio association tests were used to evaluate the statistical association between the variables. Results: Out of 1427 requests, only 219 (15.3%) were considered to have complete clinical information. Nonetheless, 1075 (75.3%) requests were considered appropriate. Relevant findings were present in about one-third (n = 453; 31.7%) and most of these findings were related to the clinical context (n = 410; 90.5%). There was a significant association between test appropriateness and the presence of relevant findings in the test (p < 0.001). The odds ratio of having a relevant finding was 5.0 times higher in the tests considered appropriate when compared with those classified as inappropriate (CI = 3.4 - 7.3; p < 0.001). Discussion: The fact that appropriate tests potentiate the probability of having a relevant finding emphasizes the importance of defining guidelines so that only the adequate tests are performed. Conclusion: Creating guidelines should improve the appropriateness of imaging tests requested in the Emergency Department, yielding their result, with the consequent rationalization of the available resources.

Background: The immediate response to cardiac arrest is regarded as the most time-critical intervention. First responders for cardiac arrests in imaging departments are often radiology staff. The study aim was to determine radiology staff members’ confidence in initiating basic life support. Objectives: The objectives of this study included determining the general confidence levels regarding identifying cardiac arrest and initiation of basic life support (BLS) amongst Radiology staff within the studied sites, as well as to identify potential areas of uncertainty. Another objective included identifying what would contribute to increasing levels of confidence and competence in identifying cardiac arrest and initiating BLS. Method: A multi-centre cross-sectional survey was conducted using peer-validated, anonymous questionnaires. Questionnaires were distributed to radiology staff working in public sector hospitals within the Cape Town Metropole West. Due to the limited subject pool, a convenience sample was collected. Data were therefore statistically analysed using only summary statistics (mean, standard deviation, proportions, and so on), and detailed comparisons were not made. Results: We disseminated 200 questionnaires, and 74 were completed (37%). There were no incomplete questionnaires or exclusions from the final sample. Using a 10-point Likert scale, the mean ability to recognise cardiac arrest was 6.45 (SD ± 2.7), securing an airway 4.86 (SD ± 2.9), and providing rescue breaths and initiating cardiac compressions 6.14 (SD ± 2.9). Only two (2.7%) of the participants had completed a basic life support course in the past year; 11 (14.8%) had never completed any basic life support course and 28 (37.8%) had never completed any life support or critical care course. Radiologists, radiology trainees and nurses had the greatest confidence in providing rescue breaths and initiating cardiac compressions from all the groups. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a substantial lack of confidence in providing basic life support in the participating hospital imaging departments’ staff. The participants indicated that regular training and improved support systems would increase confidence levels and improve skills.

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a major problem for health care worldwide. These infections cause additional suffering for the patient and infer major societal costs. There has been extensive research on infection transmission in health care, but to a lesser extent within the field of radiology. The purpose of this study was to identify selected hand-touched surfaces inside and outside the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination rooms which are prone to contamination and which could represent a risk for transmission of HAI pathogens. We also aimed to examine differences in bacterial contamination between public and private radiology departments. Six public and four private radiology departments participated in the study. Bacterial samples were taken from ten predetermined surfaces inside and outside CT and MRI examination rooms. Sampling was carried out between patients after standard cleaning procedure, using flocked nylon swabs. The swab was applied over a 100 cm2 surface, and after cultivation, bacterial colony-forming units (CFU) per cm2 were calculated. Bacterial CFU were found on almost all selected surfaces. The highest numbers were found on keyboards, chairs of the patient changing rooms, headphones, and the alarm control/buzzer. There was no significant difference between public and private radiology departments. No multidrug-resistant microorganisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Enterobacterales , or carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales were found in any of the investigated radiology departments. Both the CT and MRI equipment in public and private radiology departments may be potential sources of pathogenic bacteria, and disinfection between patients should be improved. • No multidrug-resistant microorganisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae , or carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales were found in any of the investigated radiology departments. • The most contaminated areas inside and outside the CT and MRI laboratories were keyboards, chairs of the patient changing rooms, headphones, and the alarm control/buzzer. • No differences in bacterial contamination between public and private radiology departments could be detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Calculating the cost of services enables the existing resources to be used in the most efficient and effective way possible. Time- Driven Activity Based Costing is a method that, in addition to costing, also calculates the efficiency and unused capacity of resources. The purpose of this study was to use this method to calculate the costs of radiology and CT scans services in two hospitals. Materials & Methods: The present cross-sectional and retrospective research was done in a descriptive-analytic manner in two hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2018. Data were collected in designed Excel forms, and costs of services were calculated using Time- Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) method. Results: The cost of most radiology services and total CT scan services in the government sector was more than that of the private sector. The unused capacity of resources in the public sector was more than private sector. The time spent for providing the services in the two hospitals was the same except for the technician's career. The average cost of radiology services was 223324 in hospital (A), and 194094 Rials in hospital (B). The average cost of the CT scan services was 600522 in hospital (A) , and 485230 Rials in hospital (B). Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, the need for human resources management to reduce unused capacity and increase efficiency, as well as improving service delivery processes in order to reduce the time required to provide services seems necessary. Replacing low-cost resources is another solution that is effective in reducing costs. The standards of the most efficient centers of health services are often worth the benchmarking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To describe potential risks for patient safety incidents in the radiology department from a radiographer's perspective. Background: A radiology department is a high‐tech environment with high communication activity between different healthcare systems in combination with a large patient flow. Risks for patient safety incidents exist in every phase of a radiological examination. Due to the nature of the activity, a radiology department needs to have its own range of measures to prevent risks linked to radiology. Design: A qualitative descriptive design. Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were carried out with 17 radiographers during the period September 2015 to February 2016. The data were analysed using conventional content analysis. This study followed the COREQ checklist criteria for the reporting of qualitative research. Results: The analysis yielded 20 different patient safety incidents that could result in the following six types of healthcare‐associated harm: Patients could be exposed to unnecessary radiation; patients could receive an inaccurate diagnosis; patients could incur drug‐induced damage; patients could suffer direct physical injury; or, their examination and treatment could be delayed or not carried out; or, their general health condition could deteriorate. Conclusion: Lack of communication and knowledge, both internally and externally, can increase risks for patient safety incidents. The study describes a complex chain of activities that represent risks in the radiology department. It needs to be pointed out that it is not always the activities in the radiology department that cause the harm. Relevance to clinical practice: To carry out preventive patient safety work, a comprehensive analysis of the entire care chain is required. Patient safety work should also focus on improvement in communication both internally, within the radiology department, and externally. Standardised methodological guidelines, consistent prescriptions of method from the radiologist and a good working environment are internal success factors for patient safety at the radiology department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]