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Audit in action: significant reduction of double-contrast barium enema screening time with no loss of examination quality

Department of Radiology, Hull Royal Infirmary, Anlaby Road, Kingston upon Hull HU3 2JZ, UK

The double-contrast barium enema is an examination of high radiation exposure to the patient. As part of a departmental audit, our own fluoroscopic screening times were being recorded. A study was undertaken to see if a determined effort could reduce the screening time without having a detrimental effect on the quality of the examinations. Methods of screening time reduction were identified and then implemented by two radiologists. In the period before the study the average screening time for radiologists A and B was 2.6 min and 3.2 min, respectively (over 56 examinations). After implementation of the changes, the average screening time for both was 0.9 min (over 50 examinations). This is a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.01). The examinations were assessed independently by a gastroradiologist. No difference in the quality of the examinations was identified. We conclude that a significant reduction of screening time for the double-contrast barium enema can be achieved without loss of examination quality.

Key Words: Barium enema • Screening time

Received for publication August 27, 1991. Revision received November 25, 1991. Accepted for publication January 14, 1992.

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