MRI AUDIT REPORT FINAL 17.5.05

A comparison of the technical merit and quality of the reports of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examinations performed by an independent sector provider using mobile MR systems with those from standard NHS MR services. A report prepared by the Royal College of Radiologists, in conjunction with the Department of Health May 2005 Summary 1. There was a longer interval between the examination being performed and the report issued by the Independent sector provider than in the two NHS centres reviewed. 2. There was little difference in the technical quality of the MR examinations between the two services. 3. The language of the reports was better in most NHS generated reports. 4. The clinical opinion was judged slightly better in NHS reports. But amongst 349 observations there was only one discrepancy that might have approached a General Medical Council Grade 4 error. 5. There is evidence that the service has improved since informal audits of the service performed in 2004. 6. It is recognised that this audit only looked at a small number of MR examinations demonstrating a limited range of lesions INTRODUCTION In 2004 the Department of Health announced that, in order to reduce waiting times for magnetic resonance imaging, they were purchasing over 500,000 MR examinations from the independent health sector over the subsequent five years. Following a National advertisement and tender process, a single supplier (Alliance Medical ...