SErIES IAEA HumAn HEAltH SErIES IAEA Hum

equire a written policy and procedure on the verification of requested data and a
justification of examination selection.
A radiological medical practitioner (or delegate) should review the request
and determine if the examination requested is appropriate given the clinical
information provided, and, as appropriate, contact the referring medical
practitioner for further discussion of the clinical findings and imaging
examination options.
4.1.1.2. Quality of the referral
Except for approved health screening programmes, all patients must be
referred for an examination by a physician or appropriate health care practitioner.
There should be a mechanism in place to confirm given information prior to
the commencement of the examination.
Department processes should include a review of referrals for accuracy and
completeness, with a mechanism to correct errors as required.
The minimal information required is the following:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Patient’s name, date of birth, address and contact details, such as hospital
ward or phone number;
Study requested;
Clinical indication for examination;
Date of the request;
Referring medical practitioner’s signature, printed name and contact
details;
Pregnancy status.
4.1.1.3. Referrer education
There should be a process in place to ensure that information regarding
examinations — indications, advantages–benefits and limitations–risks — is
readily available to the referring medical practitioners to allow appropriate
selection and justification of an examination. The process should include regular
updating of available information. Information concerning radiation exposure
and associated risks is essential, particularly in regard to infants, children and
pregnant or potentially pregnant patients.
4.1.1.4. Patient education and consent
Information regarding the potential benefits and risks (such as contrast
agent and radiation risks) associated with the relevant examination/s should be
29