AB020. SOH26AB_0016. An audit of high-resolution computed tomography thorax reporting in patients with suspected idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in a Level III Acute Hospital in the Southwest Hospital Group of the Health Service Executive (HSE)

Background: High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) thorax is of known importance in the diagnosis and management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). IPF is a chronic, progressive condition of unknown aetiology, with diagnostic guidelines published by the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS). This audit aims to assess the percentage of HRCT thorax done in a Health Service Executive (HSE) Level III Acute Hospital which are being reported in line with the guidelines set out by the ATS/ERS.

Methods: This retrospective clinical audit analyses the reporting of HRCT thorax in the radiology department in a Level III Acute Hospital in the Southwest Hospital Group of the HSE, against the guidelines set out by the ATS/ERS. National Integrated Medical Imaging System (NIMIS) was used to access the data of 30 patients who underwent HRCT thorax for suspected IPF, a sample size chosen based on the Royal College of Radiologists recommendation.

Results: In this Level III Acute Hospital, 77% of HRCT thorax reports for patients with suspected IPF assigned the result to one of four categories. In this Level III Acute Hospital, 65% of reports which assigned the result to category 3 or 4 offered an alternative most likely diagnosis or a list of reasonable differential diagnoses.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the structure of reports for HRCT thorax in cases of suspected IPF in this Level III Acute Hospital can be improved in order to meet targets set out by the Royal College of Radiologists.

Keywords: Guidelines; high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT); idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); radiology reporting; retrospective audit