Assessment of radiographic film repeats rate and its causes in radiology centers of Zahedan University of medical sciences

In diagnostic radiology, analysis of set aside radiographic films is a useful method for testing quality control. Repeated radiography not only imposes additional costs, but also increases the amount of unnecessary radiation dose radiated to the patients and relevant staff. The aim of this study to determine the frequency of set aside radiographic films and its reasons. In this descriptive study, radiographic films were evaluated over a period of two months. After reviewing the scientific literature, a form was designed to study the setting aside of radiographic films and its related reasons. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 24,392 radiographies were performed. The frequency of repeated radiographic films was 1241. The average rate of repeated radiographies in three hospitals was 5.09%. The specific rates of repeated radiographies in Khatamolanbia, Bu-Ali and Ali-ibn-e-Abitaleb Hospitals were 5.32%, 7.22%, and 2.75%, respectively. The main reasons for repeating radiography were radiation errors (42.72%) and the movement of patients (20.30%). The highest rate of repeating radiography was related to the pelvic cavity (11.72%). It was found that human error plays an important role in the repetition of radiographic images. Repetition rate of radiographic images in this study is in the middle range compared to the previous studies conducted in Iran, but its rate in some hospitals and some organs is not acceptable.