This paper presents an experimental and numerical method for investigating the biomechanics of soft tissue sutured tendons. The aim is to achieve a better understanding of the mechanics of a sutured tendon applicable to tendon injury.
Aim
To assess clinical evaluation of plain film x-rays requested for patients in the orthopaedic department (clinic and ward)
Standards:
Ionising radiation (medical exposure) regulations irmer 2017 procedure j: recording clinical exposure, national guideline and local guidance is in keeping with irmer and good clinical practice.
Method
50 plain films of randomly selected (using random number generator) who had attended new patient fracture clinic and ward. An initial audit was done in June and an reaudit in September.
The radiology system, clinical notes and clinic letters were reviewed to obtain the relevant data.
Results
Audit: 20 films were documented
30 were not documented
Reaudit
32 films were documented by referring clinician
18 films were not documented by referring clinician
Audit:
Clinical evaluation documented 18
Clinical evaluation not documented 32
Reaudit:
Clinical evaluation documented - 29
Clinical evaluation not documented - 21
Discussion
Whose responsibility? Radiographs commented on in trauma meetings not documented. New radiographs not commented on in clinic.
Limitations - access to more notes from ward.
Conclusions
As outlined in guidance orthopaedic and fracture clinic plain films should be reported by referring clinician or their team. Currently this is being done 64% of the time, significant improvement was seen. This may have medicolegal consequences as it does not follow GMC guidance for good medical practise.
Recommendations
Clinicians to specifically dictate x-ray findings in fracture clinic. Junior staff to take responsibility for documenting x-ray findings as discussed with senior clinicians for trauma patients. Junior staff to review post-op x-rays for all patients and to document.
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