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Contrast use: waste not--want not.
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, University of Western Ontario, London.
Summary
Efficient use of low-osmolar contrast media is crucial due to cost. A study found 13% of contrast material was wasted, with significant differences between hospital types and imaging suites.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Healthcare Administration
Background:
- Low-osmolar contrast media (LOCM) are increasingly used, necessitating efficient utilization due to their higher cost compared to conventional agents.
- Understanding patterns of intravascular contrast media usage and waste is vital for cost containment and resource optimization in radiology departments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the amount of intravascular contrast media used and discarded in three distinct radiology departments.
- To identify specific areas within radiology departments where contrast media waste is most prevalent.
- To compare contrast media wastage between a community hospital and university-affiliated teaching hospitals.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted over one month in the summer of 1987 across three hospitals in southwestern Ontario.
- Intravascular contrast media usage and discarded amounts were meticulously measured in each participating department.
- Data collection focused on differentiating waste across various imaging modalities, particularly angiography and computed tomography.
Main Results:
- Overall, 13% of all contrast material utilized by the three hospitals was discarded.
- The angiography suite emerged as the primary site of contrast media waste.
- Minimal wastage was observed in computed tomography examinations.
- The community hospital demonstrated significantly less contrast media waste compared to the two university-affiliated teaching hospitals.
Conclusions:
- A notable portion of contrast media is wasted, suggesting that some level of wastage may be unavoidable.
- Strategies such as multidose dispensing systems and varied bottle sizes could potentially mitigate contrast media waste.
- Radiology departments must actively monitor and analyze their specific contrast media usage patterns to identify and address waste reduction opportunities.