Are Radiology request forms adequately filled in? : an audit assessing local practice

Abstract

Background: Radiology request forms are essential communication tools used by doctors referring patients for radiological investigations. Their importance, however, is highly underestimated. We set out to perform a process audit of the adequacy of completion of such request forms in St. Luke's Hospital, Malta. Methods: A representative sample of 200 randomly selected request forms received by the radiology department in early September 2004 was reviewed. These included requests for a variety of examinations from different departments within St. Luke's Hospital. A database of the collected forms was created, noting which of the various fields were adequately completed. Results: Only 4% of the 200 request forms reviewed were completed in full. The percentages of the various fields completed were: patient's name and surname - 100%; patient's full address - 77%; patient's age - 29%; referring ward - 95%; referring doctor's signature - 100%; referring doctor's name and surname - 34%; name of responsible consultant - 91%; question to be answered - 25%. The patient's clinical background field was filled in 93%. However, these were more often than not incomplete and unable to fulfil their purpose. Conclusions: There is ample room for change in current local practice.