The operation of a ward-based radiology consultation service

A radiology consultation service, consisting of an attending radiologist and a senior radiology resident, functioned for ten months on an acute care medical ward in a teaching hospital. The consultants conducted daily conferences during which they discussed, approved, and scheduled all imaging tests. During the study interval, there were significantly fewer procedures performed on patients in the consultation ward than were performed on patients in three other medical wards of the hospital. The service was well accepted by the medical staff. Early and sustained participation by a radiologist who functions as an advisor during diagnostic evaluations can help limit inappropriate or redundant imaging examinations.