Compliance of Computed Tomography Scan Requests in Sub-Saharan Africa

>Objective: To investigate the compliance of computed tomography (CT) scan requests in the X-ray units of Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: Multi-centric, exhaustive, descriptive and cross-sectional study (Burkina Faso and Benin) focused on CT scan requests implemented and interpreted from May 1 to July 31, 2014. Request compliance was assessed according to the criteria of the French High Authority for Health to which was added a criterion for fulfillment of description of patient clinical information. An exam was deemed compliant when all criteria were met. Ratios were compared by means of Chi2 test at 0.05% significance level. Results: Among the 426 colligated computed tomography prescriptions, the least filled fields were allergy concept (0%), creatinine-mia (0.3%), examination purpose (50.2%). The overall compliance rate was 35%. The requests made by medical specialists were more compliant than those made by general practitioners and students (p = 0.003). Fulfillment of clinical information description was also better among medical specialists compared to the other prescribers (p = 0.002). Conclusion: It is important to improve the quality of computed tomography (CT) scan requests in the hospitals of Bobo-Dioulasso (Bur-kina Faso) and Parakou (Benin).