Radiographers' experience of preventing patient safety incidents in the context of radiological examinations

To describe factors that prevent patient safety incidents in connection with the radiological examination from the radiographer's perspective.

Radiology plays an important role in the care chain and involves diagnostic examinations and treatments using various radiation sources and different techniques. Risks for patient safety incidents exist in every phase of a radiological examination. Appropriate use of medical imaging requires a multidisciplinary approach involving staff of different categories to meet the medical objectives and the patient's care needs. In accordance with a Safety-II approach, it is therefore important to understand why things go right and ensure that they do by supporting the conditions for right things to happen.

A qualitative study with a descriptive design.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 radiographers. The data were analysed using theoretical thematic analysis based on the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model.

The analysis yielded 20 sub-themes, which describe different success factors contributing to patient safety.

Proactive work should focus on collaboration and sharing the necessary knowledge, internally and externally, for care in connection with the radiological examination. The radiological and peri-radiographic knowledge should include monitoring the patient's safety needs before, during and after the radiological examination. The referring clinician has a central role in writing relevant referrals and the radiographer's competence is crucial in monitoring the patient's safety needs. A good patient safety culture is required and working with standards is important.