COMPLIANCE WITH GUIDELINES FOR CHOICE OF RADIOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS - AMULTICENTER STUDY

A study of compliance with guidelines for choice of radiographic proje ctions was carried out in each of six centres. The study concerned 585 1 examinations undertaken by 116 radiographers under the supervision o f 29 consultant radiologists. The results showed good compliance betwe en centres for examination of the chest (range 81-93%), abdomen (range 73-100%), thoracic spine (range 82-96%), pelvis/hip (range 78-99%) bu t not for examination of cervical spine (range 0-85%), paranasal sinus (range 0-100%) and lumbar spine (range 52-84%). The reasons given for these wide variations are discussed and estimates are given for the p otential reductions in exposure to the UK population consequent upon n ational implementation of guidelines such as these.