Assessment of a reporting radiographer-led discharge system for minor injuries: a prospective audit over 2 years

Abstract

The service reduced waiting times and re-attendance rates while improving the accuracy of diagnosis. The efficacy of such services should be further studied in relation to more complex patient groups.

Attitudes of radiographers to radiographer-led discharge: A survey

“…3e7 Radiographers can now also formally report following postgraduate training. 8 Recently, a new skill-mix opportunity has emerged, Radiographer-led Discharge (RLD), where appropriately trained Radiographers discharge patients directly from the Radiology department after imaging 9 (Fig. 1).…”

“…Henderson et al 9 conducted a two year audit comparing discharge by Reporting Radiographers and A&E staff. False negative rates were reduced from 2.1% with A&E discharge to 0.2% with RLD.…”

Radiographer reporting: A literature review to support cancer workforce planning in England

“…15 In some schemes of work reporting radiographers have autonomous clinical decision-making responsibilities, for example removing malpositioned naso-gastric tubes, 13 onward referral to further imaging or specialist opinion, 13,21 making recommendations for treatment 21 or discharging patients independent of further medical intervention. 46 When considering the role of reporting radiographers in service delivery the ability to provide cross-cover and to attend and participate in clinical decision making at multidisciplinary meetings are also important. 15,47 Training radiographers to interpret and report clinical images…”

“…Henderson et al 46 reviewed radiographer-led discharge for minor injuries in a prospective two-year audit of 639 cases that met the inclusion criteria for potential discharge by one of two radiographers. In comparison to the 'usual' emergency nurse practitioner led discharge system, they evidenced reduced waiting times and reduced re-attendance rates in their new radiographer-led discharge service, alongside improved diagnostic accuracy.…”

“…Radiologist/radiographer reporting skill mix, to make the best use of the respective skills and knowledge of both professions, enables the redesign of care pathways and has demonstrable clinical benefits for patients and logistic and economic benefits for service providers. 23,25,30,33,46 The accuracy of radiographer reporting is well established and any concern over clinical 'error' can be mitigated with the development of national standards, collaborative teamworking and ensuring reporting audit frameworks and governance are multiprofessional and inclusive of all staff who undertake reporting, regardless of profession. HEE is working with the professional colleges (RCR and SCoR) to develop national multiprofessional likely to occur in departments with a pre-existing radiographic workforce shortage or when adequately staffed with radiologists such that there is no local capacity/demand mismatch.…”