National audit of provision of MRI services 2006 07

Clinical Radiology (2009) 64, 284e290ORIGINAL PAPERNational audit of provision of MRI services2006/07*S. Barter , K. Drinkwater, D. RemediosRoyal College of Radiologists, London, UKReceived 1 February 2008; received in revised form 4 September 2008; accepted 10 September 2008In 2003 the Royal College of Radiologists Clinical Radiology Audit Sub-Committee began an audit process evaluatingthe standards of provision of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) services. This was prompted by the publication ofthe 2002 Audit Commission Report, which had identified that lack of MRI provision was responsible for more than halfof the total waiting times for diagnostic imaging investigations. The audit found that the time from request to reportdid not meet the standard for cancer staging examinations, but nationally, was within the target set for routine or-thopaedic examinations. However, national mean waiting times were longer than recommended for both cancer andorthopaedicMRI.Sincethen,therehasbeenmassiveinvestmentinMRIcapacity,bothfrominstallationofMRIsystemsin NHS Trusts, and in England, from outsourcing of routine MRI cases through the Department of Health contract withan independent provider. A re-audit in 2006/7 shows that there has been a significant improvement in waiting timesfor routine orthopaedic examinations, but the position with cancer staging examinations has deteriorated. Controlchart methodology shows that underperformance is due to common cause ...