Radiographer screening for incidental pulmonary emboli on routine contrast-enhanced computerised tomography scans at a cancer centre.

AIM: To introduce and assess effectiveness of a radiographer-led screening programme for the detection of unsuspected pulmonary emboli on routine contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), and to evaluate radiographer response to this extended role.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A training programme was devised for all radiographic staff working in CT. The screening service was introduced and monthly quality assurance performed with cumulative analysis of the first 2 years. Clinical effectiveness before and after screening was evaluated by comparing the time interval between the scan and the start of a clinical consultation for anticoagulant prescription. A satisfaction survey was sent to all participating staff.

RESULTS: Thirty-two radiographers completed the training. During the training period, the radiographer detection rate of incidental pulmonary emboli was 89%. Main, lobar, segmental, and subsegmental emboli were detected. The overall detection rate after full introduction of the programme was 92% for the first 2 years. The time interval between the scan and clinical consultation for anticoagulant prescription dropped from a mean of 1.5 days to a mean of 26 minutes and ensured that treatment was commenced at the same patient attendance. Eighty-four percent of staff completed the satisfaction survey and all were satisfied with the extended role.

CONCLUSION: Radiographer screening for incidental pulmonary emboli was effective and accurate. It resulted in immediate communication with the responsible physician and commencement of anticoagulation therapy at the same hospital attendance, creating a "one-stop" service. Radiographer satisfaction with the extended role was high.