Vora P, Chapman A. Complications from radiographer-performed double contrast barium enemas.
Clin Radiol 2004;
59:364-8. [PMID:
15041457 DOI:
10.1016/j.crad.2003.11.010]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2003] [Revised: 11/04/2003] [Accepted: 11/11/2003] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
AIM
To determine the types and rates of complications encountered by radiographers when performing double contrast barium enemas (DCBE).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Seven hundred and forty-one questionnaires were posted to radiographers who had in the last 5 years attended one of the biannual barium enema training courses.
RESULTS
Of 741 questionnaires posted 407 (54.9%) were returned completed. Approximately 348,000 barium enema examinations had been performed. Fifty-nine radiographers reported 89 complications, including 13 intra-peritoneal and 11 extra-peritoneal perforations. There were five deaths (mortality 1 in 70,000). Deaths resulted from two of 24 (10%) perforations, two of 45 (5%) cardiac events and one cerebrovascular accident that occurred during an examination.
CONCLUSIONS
Radiographers have been regularly performing DCBEs for almost a decade. The mortality for radiographer-performed DCBE is similar to that previously reported for radiologists, although a slightly higher rate of perforation is noted and so this is an area where radiographer training should be targeted.
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