Radiographers' experience of risks for patient safety incidents in the radiology department

To describe potential risks for patient safety incidents in the radiology department from a radiographer's perspective.

A radiology department is a high-tech environment with high communication activity between different healthcare systems in combination with a large patient flow. Risks for patient safety incidents exist in every phase of a radiological examination. Due to the nature of the activity, a radiology department needs to have its own range of measures to prevent risks linked to radiology.

A qualitative descriptive design.

Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 17 radiographers during the period September 2015 to February 2016. The data were analysed using conventional content analysis. This study followed the COREQ checklist criteria for the reporting of qualitative research.

The analysis yielded 20 different patient safety incidents that could result in the following six types of healthcare-associated harm: Patients could be exposed to unnecessary radiation; patients could receive an inaccurate diagnosis; patients could incur drug-induced damage; patients could suffer direct physical injury; or, their examination and treatment could be delayed or not carried out; or, their general health condition could deteriorate.

Lack of communication and knowledge, both internally and externally, can increase risks for patient safety incidents. The study describes a complex chain of activities that represent risks in the radiology department. It needs to be pointed out that it is not always the activities in the radiology department that cause the harm.

To carry out preventive patient safety work, a comprehensive analysis of the entire care chain is required. Patient safety work should also focus on improvement in communication both internally, within the radiology department, and externally. Standardised methodological guidelines, consistent prescriptions of method from the radiologist and a good working environment are internal success factors for patient safety at the radiology department.