X-ray Examination Cancellation or Postponement

Transcription

1 X-ray Examination Cancellation or Postponement Department of Radiology Information for Patients i Radiology Leaflet No. 34 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

2 Introduction This leaflet explains our procedures that surround having an X-ray examination and why, in some cases, they cannot be performed. This leaflet will explain the reasons why your examination has been postponed or cancelled. The staff will explain to you what you have to do in these instances. The imaging and medical physics clinical business unit provides safe and necessary examinations or tests to all of its patients. All examinations that are performed by our staff must conform to strict regulations (Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000). These regulations make sure that X-ray examinations are necessary, appropriate and performed safely. We cannot perform your X-ray examination / scan until we are sure that the information on your X-ray / scan request is accurate and complete. We aim to resolve any problems as soon as possible. If the problem with your X-ray / scan request can be sorted out straight away we will attempt to do this (e.g. incomplete or inaccurate information on your X-ray / scan request form). This may mean that there may be a delay whilst we make sure that the information that we have is correct and appropriate. Unfortunately, in some instances it may not be possible for us to resolve the problem at that time and it may be necessary for us to postpone, reschedule or cancel your examination. 2

3 We cannot perform your X-ray / scan today because: The request form has not been completed correctly. (Please see page 4 for further explanation) The patient information on the request form is not accurate. (Please see page 5 for further explanation) The X-ray examination requested is not appropriate. (Please see page 6 for further explanation) The following pages explain why your examination has been postponed or cancelled. 3

4 Procedure for the completion of radiology request forms Procedure for the completion of radiology examination request forms Diagnostic imaging or radiological (X-ray) procedures can only be performed with a written or electronic request that has been signed by a doctor or an authorised health care professional. This person is known as the referrer. All request forms must clearly identify the following: the patient s details (name, address, date of birth) the reason for the examination the examination that is required a clearly identifiable signature of the referrer. What if the request form has not been completed correctly? Any request forms that have not been completed correctly, must be returned to the referrer and completed properly before the examination can take place. This is to make sure that: the examination has been requested by someone who is appropriately trained. that the correct and most appropriate examination is performed. the examination is performed on the correct patient. If the referrer is accessible within the hospital you may be asked to wait, or return the request form back to the referrer yourself, so that the request can be checked. If the referrer is not available or is off-site then the request form must be returned to them. This may mean that your examination cannot proceed and your appointment may need to be rescheduled. 4

5 Patient identification procedure All staff carrying out examinations using X-rays have a legal and professional obligation to make sure that the examination is performed on the correct patient. Your name, address, date of birth and the area to be X-rayed or scanned will be checked against the information written on the request form. What if the details on the request form are incorrect? Where the details given by you do not match those on the request form exactly, the examination cannot be performed until the details are confirmed with the referrer (doctor or health care professional who wrote the request). If the referrer is accessible within the hospital you may be asked to wait, or return the request form back to the referrer yourself, so that the request can be checked. If the referrer is not available or is off-site then the request form must be returned to them. This may mean that your examination cannot proceed and your appointment may need to be rescheduled. 5

6 Making sure that requests for X-rays are appropriate Requests for X-ray examinations are requests for an opinion, from the radiologist (specialised X-ray doctor), on the result of the examination. It is the responsibility of the referring doctor, or health care professional, to supply sufficient information to allow the radiology staff to decide whether or not the examination requested is appropriate, and whether it will provide the relevant information about your medical condition. Making sure that the examination is appropriate: Guidelines have been produced for all staff to work to. These guidelines state which examination is most appropriate for different medical problems. The Guidelines are referred to when considering the following: Will the examination provide the information that is required by the referrer? Is this the best examination for your medical problem? Will the benefit from the examination out weigh the risks from the exposure to X-rays? We will also check to see if you have had any previous examinations which may be relevant. 6

7 What if the answer to any of these questions is no? The examination may not be performed. If the information on the request form is incomplete, incorrect, or falls outside the guidelines, this will need to be discussed with the referrer to obtain the information needed. If the referrer can supply the information required then the examination may go ahead, if they cannot, the examination may have to be cancelled. If your condition has changed from the time your examination was requested to the time you attend for your appointment, this may also influence whether or not you have the examination. If you have had a similar examination performed recently What if you have had a similar examination performed recently? The examination requested may not be performed if we discover that the same, or a similar examination has been performed recently. This is because sometimes the information required can be obtained from that examination. Unfortunately, we may not be aware that you have had a previous examination until you attend. 7

8 If you would like this information in another language or format, please contact the Service Equality Manager on Haddaad rabto warqadan oo turjuman oo ku duuban cajalad ama qoraal ah fadlan la xiriir, Maamulaha Adeegga Sinaanta Eĝer bu broşürün (kitapçıĝın) yazılı veya kasetli açıklamasını isterseniz lütfen servis müdürüne telefonundan ulaşabilirsiniz. Produced by: Imaging Patient Information Group. Edition 4. Produced: May 2009 Review date: July 2015 (Goldson) KR IMA