Zeinab Naderpour - Tehran University Of Medical Sciences
Atieyh Arshiany - Tehran University Of Medical Sciences
Elnaz Vahidi - Tehran University Of Medical Sciences
Farzaneh Shirani - Tehran University Of Medical Sciences
Morteza Saeedi - Tehran University Of Medical Sciences

Background and Aim : Chest Xray is one of the most widely used diagnostic techniques in theworld. Also this is a relatively inexpensive and noninvasive diagnostic test but lead to high cost inhealth care and a consume a considerable part of the department human resources. Performing anyunnecessary imaging can delay the main treatment, and may elongate hospital stays and falselydeclines the ED capacity.Methods : In this cross-sectional retrospective study, the requested chest Xray performed in theED of Shariati Hospital throughout the year 1395, were compared to the accepted indications ofthis examination. 400 patients medical files were randomly chosen by a computer program andwere assessed by researcher.Results : According to the results, 48.8% of chest X-Rays were done within indication and 51.2%were not. In 75% of the cases the indicated imaging contributed to the clinical management of thepatient whereas the non-indicated radiograghs were unhelpful in 90% of cases. As reported by theradiologist 66.6% of X-Rays had accepted quality and remaining were not satisfactory. The costof performing a single chest X-Ray in public sector in 1395 was 136752 Rials and on average 50X-Rays were done in ED per day. Having in mind the 51.2% non-indicated radigraphs, a total of1277810688 Rials is annually used for unnecessary X-Rays in ED.Conclusion : This study reveals that over half of the chest X-Rays mandated and performed in theED of our hospital is without clinical and academic indication, exhausting many technical andhuman resources, as well as costing great expenses. More importantly by doing so, other patientswith true needs are deprived of satisfactory imaging services that used unwisely elsewhere.

Chest X-Ray, Cost effectiveness, clinical indication