Reject analysis : an analysis of films rejected from the Radiology Department at St. Luke's Hospital, Malta

Abstract

Reject analysis is the critical evaluation of rejected radiographs which is performed in order to calculate the average reject rate and to establish the main reasons for rejected films. As part of a quality assurance programme, reject analysis may help in identifying problem areas and suggesting corrective measures. In the Radiology Department at St. Luke's Hospital, no such programme exists. This research project was designed to establish the average reject rate in the Radiology Department and to identify the main reasons for rejected films. The research tool used was the reject analysis data sheet suggested by the British Institute of Radiology (1988). This study was performed over a period of 4 weeks. A pilot study was performed for a period of 1 week, with only minor changes being found to be required. The results demonstrated that the average reject rate in the Radiology Department lies in the acceptable range. Exposure and positioning faults were found to cause the majority of rejected films. On the basis of the findings, recommendations are proposed for the implementation of a continuous reject analysis, regular quality assurance tests and the introduction of standards of acceptable image quality in order that the results obtained through the reject analysis are used to the fullest extent.