A study of adequacy of completion of radiology request forms

Abstract 

Aims

An incompletely filled radiology request form (RRF) is a common problem faced by both radiologists and radiographers. The study was designed to objectively assess the adequacy of completion of radiology request forms from two hospitals in Yorkshire: Harrogate District Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Material and methods

Two hundred forms were randomly selected from each hospital. A score was assigned to each form based on completion of 10 different fields. Each field was given a score of 0, 0.5 or 1 with a total of maximum 10 per form. Only the completeness of each field was assessed. A blank field was given a zero score. We did not analyse the accuracy, justification or legibility of the request.

Results

A total of 400 forms were analysed. The mean score was 8.7 per form (range 4.5–10 and median 9). Out of potential 4000 fields (10 fields each in 400 forms), a total of 455 fields were left blank and a further 71 were incompletely filled. The commonest blank fields were as follows: doctor's bleep number: 42%, patient location: 21%, questions to be answered: 17%, doctor's name: 15%, date of referral: 11% and consultant name: 8%.

Conclusions

This study has revealed overall satisfactory performance by the referrers in the completion of RRFs (mean score of 8.7/10 per form). There were still a number of inadequacies in completing the RRFs. This may have medico-legal implications and serious consequences on the quality of overall service provided by the radiology departments. Importance of completion of each field is discussed and suggestions have been made to improve these deficiencies. Comparison has been made with similar studies from around the world which shows that the problem is widespread.

Keywords: Radiology request forms, RCR guidelines, Incomplete request forms, IR(ME)R