RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION OF THE SMALL-BOWEL - AN APPLICATION OF ODDS RATIO ANALYSIS TO HELP ATTAIN AN APPROPRIATE MIX OF SMALL-BOWEL FOLLOWTHROUGH AND ENTEROCLYSIS IN A WORKING-CLINICAL ENVIRONMENT

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. Simplifying data collection and analysis sho uld promote utilization management in review of examinations of the sm all bowel in the general practice. METHODS. A case control format with the generation of an odds ratio to answer sets of binary questions de rived from annual examination data is shown, The positive examination results applied were compared with the literature as a cross-checking mechanism, The examination identified as most likely to be positive wa s recommended prospectively in a protocol for the following gear, Two of 5 years are illustrated to emphasize the development of the methodo logy. RESULTS. Application of this model in testing its validity, sinc e 1990 at Madigan Army Medical Center, allows for the generation of a new protocol each year to prospectively improve clinical definition. C ONCLUSIONS. A 5-year analysis of small bowel examination protocols, su bdivisions, and odds ratios, will be forthcoming, The 2 years illustra ted show how strongly our practice was influenced in using enteroclysi s or in using the small bowel follow through as the examination of cho ice in the various clinical categories of small bowel disease: (1) pra ctice was influenced by protocol and (2) outcome was steered toward po sitive examinations.