[Practical usage of a quality management system according to ISO 9001 : 2000 focusing on the double contrast (barium) enema].

Purpose: We describe the implementation of quality improvement measures in a quality management system.
Methods: With questionnaires for radiologists and patients, we investigated the relations between patient preparation and diagnostic quality serving the main purpose, to improve diagnostic quality with the help of more detailed patient information (e.g., changing preparation sheets and handling out "peri-med" information sheets to the patients). Furthermore, a comparative data ascertainment at other institutes was integrated.
Results: For the group of outpatients, increasing process quality (patient information) and outcome (diagnostic quality) could be achieved. Taking aspects of quality costs into consideration, a decrease in costs due to failures was achieved.
Conclusion: More detailed patient information has positive effects on diagnostic quality of the double contrast (barium) enema.