A retrospective mixed-methods service evaluation of radiographer-led adult nephrostomy exchange service

Global healthcare systems, including the UK's, face a supply-demand imbalance exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventional radiology (IR) is expanding, but workforce shortages persist, with a 30 % shortfall in clinical radiologists in England, projected to increase to 40 % by 2028.

This service evaluation (SE) employs a mixed-methods approach to evaluate an advanced practice (AP) radiographer-led nephrostomy exchange (NE) service, aiming to reduce the interval between NEs from 94 to 84 days.

The study found that the AP service successfully performed NE with lower radiation doses (RD) and fluoroscopy screening times (FST) compared to radiologists. The service also reduced minor complication rates and created additional appointment slots for radiologists. Patient and stakeholder feedback indicated high satisfaction.

This service evaluation (SE) demonstrates that AP skills, backed by master 's-level education, can effectively address the growing demands and workforce shortages in IR. The evidence from this project shows that AP radiographers can provide a comparable, and in some aspects, improved service with lower RD and FST.

By training radiographers to perform select, routine procedures, healthcare systems can alleviate the burden on radiologists.