American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 147, Issue 3, 637-640
Copyright © 1986 by American Roentgen Ray Society
Radiologic consultation: its application to an acute care surgical ward
Baker SR
and
HD Stein
Over an 8-month period, all requests for imaging tests on an acute care surgical ward were discussed and approved by a radiologist who made daily rounds with the surgical staff. Compared with an equivalent interval before the start of the consultation service, the number of sonograms, CT scans, scintigrams, and barium studies decreased significantly, while the number of endoscopic procedures remained constant. The average length of stay was shortened by 2.8 days during the experimental period.