Importance of daily rounds by the radiologist after interventional procedures of the abdomen and chest.

Abstract

A prospective study was performed to evaluate the clinical utility of daily rounds by the radiologist for patients with indwelling catheters in the chest and abdomen, placed during interventional radiologic procedures. The 7-week evaluation included documentation of the number of patients seen, time spent with each per day, number of problems identified, management of these problems, and consultations for new cases generated by interaction with other staff. During the 268 visits to 37 patients, 59 catheter-related problems were identified; 17 (29%) required further intervention in the radiology department, and 42 (71%) were managed at the patient's bedside. Of the patients who were followed up, 22 (59%) had some catheter-related problem identified during their hospital stay. Daily rounds by the radiologist are an essential component of patient care after catheter-related interventional procedures and should be made by those who perform and understand the procedures.