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December 17, 2025

Reducing radiology referral errors through training: an audit from 2023-24

A recent audit conducted at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh in Dublin revealed a significant reduction in radiology referral errors following targeted training interventions. Initially, a 2023 audit found a nine per cent error rate in plain film x-ray referrals, primarily due to incorrect procedures, insufficient clinical information and wrong anatomical sides. These errors, while […]

Cris Penus, Sarah McKnight, Avril Morgan, Niamh Whyte, Anne Smith

National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh, Ireland

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March 18, 2025

The use of pre-existing imaging for routine MRI safety screening

Thorough MRI safety screening, to identify any internal implants or foreign bodies (FB), is essential for anyone entering the MRI environment. Screening is used to determine the presence of any MRI contraindications and allow the MRI status of any medical implants to be investigated so they can be scanned under the correct conditions. In 2018, […]

Hannah Barnsley

The Royal Marsden, Chelsea

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October 16, 2024

A workplace buddy system

Originating from the US Army in World War II, battle buddies ensured that soldiers had someone to watch their back, provide emotional support and share decision making. Having been adopted by the military, aviation and the police force, healthcare and in particular nursing has now welcomed this support model, which has proven to be a […]

Joanne Roebuck

Spire Claremont Hospital

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December 13, 2023

Quality and accuracy of vascular ultrasound equipment

Quality assurance (QA) is essential to ensure the safety of patients, through checking the integrity, function and accuracy of equipment, and is mandatory under the Health and Social Care Act. A QA programme is also required by inspecting bodies and accreditation schemes such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Quality Standard for Imaging (QSI). […]

Dr Nick Dudley

Multi-Medix

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October 11, 2023

Generic implant safety procedures for assessing patients with implants prior to MRI scanning: results from a UK-wide survey

While MRI is generally very safe, undergoing an MRI scan can present multiple risks to patients with certain implants. Given that between a quarter and a third of patients who present for their MRI scan will have an implant, assessing patient suitability for MRI and managing this risk can pose a significant challenge. Ideally the […]

John McLean, Sarah Prescott, Jonathan Ashmore

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde; University Hospitals of North Midlands; NHS Highland

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October 11, 2023

The future direction for patient radiation protection

Radiation has played a crucial role in medicine ever since the discovery of x-rays a hundred years ago. Today technology takes centre stage in continuing the advancement. However, any use of radiation has an associated risk. Evidence for this comes from epidemiological studies of populations exposed to high doses of radiation. Radiation protection practice has […]

Colin Martin

University of Glasgow

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May 17, 2023

Practical radiation protection in theragnostics

In 1942 Dr Saul Hertz used 131I radioiodine (RAI) to treat thyroid disease. Although theragnostics (also known as theranostics) was a term not invented at that time, Dr Hertz was using g-rays from RAI as a tracer and diagnostic biomarker, and its b particles for therapy, so he can be regarded as a pioneer. 131I […]

Dr Chris Mayes

Royal Liverpool University Hospital

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January 18, 2023

The need for a universal template to harmonise MRI incident reports

MRI is considered a relatively safe modality where almost all risks and hazards can be mitigated by appropriate controls. However, it is widely acknowledged that, for many reasons, the number of incidents reported is likely to be a small percentage of the true number that has occurred. From that perspective, it is questionable whether any […]