Audit of Completion of Computed Tomography (CT) Request Forms at the Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH) of Zambia

Background: Computed tomography (CT) is a common imaging examination requested for the diagnosis and effective management of diseases and injuries. The effectiveness of an imaging examination is greatly increased if the request form is adequately completed.  Objective: This study aimed at auditing the adequacy of completion of CT request forms filled in at the Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH) of Zambia.  Methods: This was a retrospective audit conducted at CDH in Zambia using a quantitative approach. A structured proforma was used to collect data from randomly selected filled out request forms (N=80) between April and July 2020. Data was presented using tables, graphs and analysed using descriptive statistics.  Results: Of all the variables (N=14) audited, only the name and gender of the patients were provided in all the CT request forms. Other demographic information of patients was provided: age in N=78 (97.5%) and phone number in N=15(18.75%). Information about the examination was provided: requesting date in N=75 (93.75%), clinical details in N=77 (96.25%), examination in N=78 (97.5%), creatinine results in in N=4 (4.5%) and allergies in N=2 (2.25%). None of the request forms had diabetes information. Information related to the referring medical practitioners was provided: requesting department in N=35 (43.75%), name in N=14 (17.5%), signature in N=73 (91.25%) and phone number in N=8 (10%). Lastly, N=78 (97.5%) of the request forms were legible.   Conclusion:  The CT request forms are incompletely and inadequately filled at CDH. An awareness programme for medical practitioners is recommended as well as re-auditing after 12 months to assess any improvement.