Abstract: Background: Interventional radiology (IR) at University Hospital Wishaw has limited access to beds and the CT scanner for performing procedures. This means that planned procedures have to be organized optimally to prevent wastage. Methods: IR procedures were audited over a 21-week period to assess usage of beds and reasons for cancellation. Following audit, a proforma was introduced to ensure patients were correctly prepared for procedures. A subsequent 21-week audit was then performed. Outcomes: During the initial audit cycle, 101 procedures were planned with 14 cancelled. Reasons for cancellation included patient factors (6); referrer factors (2); and radiology factors (6). A proforma was introduced to improve patient preparation. During the second audit cycle, 95 procedures were planned with 11 cancelled. Cancellations due to patient factors, referrer factors and radiology factors were 7/11, 4/11 and 0/11, respectively. Overall usage of beds remained similar between the first and second audit cycles. Discussion: Cancellation of IR procedures was relatively high at 14% and remained similar at 12% following audit cycle. Cancellations due to radiology factors reduced from 6 to 0 but cancellations due to referrer factors increased from 2 to 4.

Keywords : Audit, Hospital Beds, Interventional Radiology, Quality Improvement.