X-rays referral in an emergency department

This study highlighted referral rate for X-rays with positive findings in an Emergency department of a tertiary care hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. This was a retrospective review of Emergency department(ED) cards/files of patients visited (ED) of Alnoor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during the month of April, 2006G. The total of 660 (22%) out of 2980 ED patients were included in the study and 1472 X-rays of different regions were done for them. Majority 288 (43.3%) were below 24yrs of age while males 372 (56.3%) and Saudis 400 (60%) were predominant. The discharged patients were 572 (86.6%), and 4(0.6%) were died. Six hundred and twenty (93.9%) patients got exposures rang of 1-4 while only four (0.6%) got more than eight exposures to X-rays. It was found that lower limb was exposed 384 times (26%), followed by chest 320 (21.7%). Overall 240 (16.3%) X-rays had positive findings with majority of upper limb 60 (50%) followed by chest 72 (22.5%). Pelvis & perineum had no positive X-ray. Patients from injury & poisoning were predominant 224 (33.9%) followed by respiratory disorders 104 (15.7%). Eighty four percent X-rays had no positive findings. Majority of X-rays were done for lower limb. Neck, pelvis & perineum X-rays had no positive findings