Anatomic Site Markers: Evaluation of Their Use among Maltese Radiographers

Attard, Stephanie; Couto, Jose; Mackay, Stuart; Zarb, Francis

doi:10.1016/j.jmir.2016.08.006

Cited by 5 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 8 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…We observed that marker placement within umbra of the x-ray beam, aside from being a practice of precedent, did not appear to offer any superior advantage to markers placed within the penumbra. A growing global tendency of radiographic image annotation within penumbra calls for a re-evaluation of the old order [3]. In view of the evidence from our present study and from literature, we suggest that the best practice of ASM should be guided primarily by legibility and sparing of essential anatomy and secondly by aesthetics.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…In abnormality detection on radiographs by radiographers, image annotation is a core feature to watch out for [2]. The most popular annotation method is an indication of 'left' and 'right' using anatomical side marker (ASM), a portable radiopaque object in the shape of letter 'U' with a void capital 'L' and 'R' carved on alternate rami [3]. The 'U' shape is to create a loop for attachment to image detector casings [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Annotation of radiographic images is radiographerdependent and therefore, subject to human error [6]. In medical practice, negligence is however not justifiable [3]. It has been noted that in routine, as well as in forensic radiography, ASMs must be included on the image to be admitted as a legal document.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Opinions are divided as to whether ASMs should appear in umbra or penumbra of the x-ray beam [3]. By tradition passed down and which remains current popular practice, umbra is favoured to prevent cone off [1,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This work was aimed at auditing the practice of image annotation by radiographers after the introduction of CR and other measures introduced to mitigate the marker errors. Two major standards for ASM audits are (i) presence or absence of markers on images [3], and (ii) presence of marker in primary or secondary radiation beam [1,9]. This work adopted presence or absence of marker, irrespective of whether they appear in primary or secondary radiation field, as standard.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

An audit of radiographers’ practice of left-right image annotation in film-screen radiography and after installation of computed radiography in a tertiary hospital in Africa

Adejoh

Elugwu

Sidi

et al. 2020

Egypt J Radiol Nucl Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Errors in radiographic image annotation by radiographers could potentially lead to misdiagnoses by radiologists and wrong side surgery by surgeons. Such medical negligence has dire medico-legal consequences. It was hypothesized that newer technology of computed radiography (CR) and direct digital radiography (DDR) image annotation would potentially lead to a change in practice with subsequent reduction in annotation errors. Following installation of computed radiography, a modality with electronic, post-processing image annotation, the hypothesis was investigated in our study centre. Results A total of 72,602 and 126,482 images were documented for film-screen radiography (FSR) and computed radiography (CR), respectively in the department. From these, a sample size of 9452 made up of 4726 each for FSR and CR was drawn. Anatomical side marker errors were common in every anatomy imaged, with more errors seen in FSR (4.6%) than CR (0.6%). Collectively, an error rate of 3.0% was observed. Errors noticed were as a result of marker burnout due to over-exposure as well as marker cone off due to tight beam collimation. Conclusion Error rates were considerably reduced following a change from film-screen radiography (FSR) to computed radiography (CR) at the study centre. This change was, however, influenced more by a team of quality control radiographers stationed at CR workstation than by actual practice in x-ray imaging suite. Presence of anthropomorphic phantom in the teaching laboratories in the universities for demonstrations will significantly inculcate the skill needed to completely eliminate anatomical side marker (ASM) error in practice.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

An audit of radiographers’ practice of left-right image annotation in film-screen radiography and after installation of computed radiography in a tertiary hospital in Africa

Adejoh

Elugwu

Sidi

et al. 2020

Egypt J Radiol Nucl Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

The Use of Digital Side Markers (DSMs) and Cropping in Digital Radiography

Hayre¹,

Blackman

Eyden

et al. 2019

Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Use of Anatomical Side Markers in General Radiology: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives: The use of an anatomical side marker (ASM) on x-rays, be it digital or radiopaque, is an important quality and safety concept within general radiology. Using radiopaque ASMs is best practice, and lack of any ASMs may have dire consequences in terms of patient safety. To date, there have been no systematic reviews investigating the use of ASMs in clinical practice.Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases (CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Medline, EMBASE, ERIC, and JBI) from inception to March 1, 2018, was undertaken. Gray literature searching (through Google) and pearling was conducted. Methodological quality was assessed using a modified version of the McMaster Critical Appraisal tool for quantitative studies. A customized data extraction tool was developed, which included characteristics of the studies.Results: Of 624 studies, 7 studies met the eligibility criteria. Despite diverse study designs, collectively, the studies demonstrated that only a small number of x-rays did not include an ASM. On x-rays that did use a radiopaque ASM, most of them were positioned in the primary radiation field. A noticeable shift in practice from the use of radiopaque ASMs to digital ASM was also identified. Multifaceted barriers were reported for the use of ASM in routine clinical practice.Conclusions: Although missing ASMs on x-rays were a small feature, findings from this review highlight opportunities for improvement and a need to ameliorate barriers for ASM use.

show abstract

Anatomic Site Markers: Evaluation of Their Use among Maltese Radiographers

Cited by 5 publications

References 8 publications

An audit of radiographers’ practice of left-right image annotation in film-screen radiography and after installation of computed radiography in a tertiary hospital in Africa

An audit of radiographers’ practice of left-right image annotation in film-screen radiography and after installation of computed radiography in a tertiary hospital in Africa

The Use of Digital Side Markers (DSMs) and Cropping in Digital Radiography

The Use of Anatomical Side Markers in General Radiology: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About