Completeness of Radiology Request Forms at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Sidama Region, Ethiopia

Abstract Background Radiology request forms are essential communication tools between the physician and the radiologist. Complete, accurate and justified radiological examination requests are prerequisite to radiological exposures. However, global research showed evidence of high numbers of incomplete and inaccurate requests as well as that up to 77% radiological exposures are unjustified. This research is designed to measure the completeness, of Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Ultrasound and X-ray request forms sent from different units to departments of radiology at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH). This research had positive effects on optimization of radiation protection. Method Hospital based cross sectional study design was conducted to assess the completeness of Radiology request forms at the radiology department of HUCSH. A review of all consecutive request forms received during data collection time (CT Scan, MRI, and Ultrasound) and for x-ray by using systematic random sampling method to assess the completeness of filling of the forms, details of clinical information, previous exposure and information about the requesting physician. Probability sampling method (stratified and systematic random sampling) used to select 385 request forms over a period of one month. Result This study generally demonstrated many of the data on the request form were incompletely filled. Patient’s full name, Age, Gender, Requested anatomic body part, MRN were the highest filled data in all the requests with a frequency of 98.4%,98.2%,97.4%,99.7%,96.1% In contrary, the least filled data were Previous imaging history(5/385(1.3%)), Address(6/385(1.6%)),History of previous IV contrast reaction(22/385(5.7%)), Relevant lab information ((23/385) (6%)) and History of allergy(94/385(24.4%)), had low filling rate for all modalities. Conclusion The completeness of the Radiology request forms was substandard and it should be improved.