Clinical audit of Radiology department in central government hospital of Nepal

Background

Equitable access to quality health services is a fundamental right of every citizen. As access to quality health services is an important domain of universal health coverage. Clinical audit is a crucial tool for maintaining a high standard of care in the hospital. This study aims to highlight the discrepancies between actual practice and standard in order to identify the changes needed to improve the quality of care and to implement the changes of Radiology department in central government hospital of Nepal.

Methods

A descriptive, cross-sectional survey encompassing central government hospital was conducted. A structured online questionnaire comprising 41 questions was employed and classified into 2 sections, encompassing demographic data and clinical audit tool. Microsoft Excel and SPSS V.25 were used to analyze the data, and frequencies were computed.

Results

Of the 31 central government hospitals in Nepal, 19 (61.3%) are located in Bagmati province. Six of the thirty-one hospital radiography staff members have completed at least BLS or ACLS training. There is no biomedical engineering support at 8 Hospital. Hospitals that have adopted RIS or PACS are 41.9%. There are no personnel radiation dose monitoring devices in 22 out of 31 hospitals. Only six hospitals provide staff members with recurring radiation protection training. In the imaging sector, 74.2% of hospitals have an obvious radiation hazard warning for expectant moms.

Conclusion

This study highlights the relatively medium level of clinical audit in central government hospital of Nepal. However, the identified lack of knowledge pertaining to the clinical audit emphasizes the need for further education and training in this area. To address this gap, we recommend the establishment of comprehensive orientation of clinical audit for radiology professionals. Encouraging equitable and high-quality healthcare will aid in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through clinical audit.