Biomaterial Database

Cost-effectiveness of barium enemas performed by radiographers. 2002

Lorraine Brown, and Sharad Desai

Division of Radiology, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan, UK.

OBJECTIVE To assess the cost-effectiveness of barium enemas performed by radiographers compared to those performed by consultant radiologists. METHODS Prospective study of 200 barium enemas carried out by a senior radiographer and a consultant radiologist. The sample was a consecutive sample of adult out-patients over a 3-month period, with no exclusion. The length of time of the enema and the numbers and grades of staff involved in the procedure were recorded. This was translated into staffing costs using the appropriate pay scales. RESULTS The barium enemas performed by the superintendent radiographer were more cost-effective than those performed by the consultant radiologist (pound 1406 for 100 radiographer-performed barium enemas compared to pound 1787 for 100 carried out by the consultant radiologist). CONCLUSIONS In terms of staffing costs, radiographers performing barium enemas not only liberates radiologist time, it is also a cost-effective method of providing an out-patient barium enema service.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011859	Radiography	Examination of any part of the body for diagnostic purposes by means of X-RAYS or GAMMA RAYS, recording the image on a sensitized surface (such as photographic film).	Radiology, Diagnostic X-Ray,Roentgenography,X-Ray, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X-Ray,Diagnostic X-Ray Radiology,X-Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X Ray,Diagnostic X Ray Radiology,Diagnostic X-Rays,Radiology, Diagnostic X Ray,X Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,X Ray, Diagnostic,X-Rays, Diagnostic
D011871	Radiology	A specialty concerned with the use of x-ray and other forms of radiant energy in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
D003362	Cost-Benefit Analysis	A method of comparing the cost of a program with its expected benefits in dollars (or other currency). The benefit-to-cost ratio is a measure of total return expected per unit of money spent. This analysis generally excludes consideration of factors that are not measured ultimately in economic terms. In contrast a cost effectiveness in general compares cost with qualitative outcomes.	Cost and Benefit,Cost-Benefit Data,Benefits and Costs,Cost Benefit,Cost Benefit Analysis,Cost-Utility Analysis,Costs and Benefits,Economic Evaluation,Marginal Analysis,Analyses, Cost Benefit,Analysis, Cost Benefit,Analysis, Cost-Benefit,Analysis, Cost-Utility,Analysis, Marginal,Benefit and Cost,Cost Benefit Analyses,Cost Benefit Data,Cost Utility Analysis,Cost-Benefit Analyses,Cost-Utility Analyses,Data, Cost-Benefit,Economic Evaluations,Evaluation, Economic,Marginal Analyses
D004733	Enema	Insertion of a solution or compound through the RECTUM with the purpose of cleansing the COLON or for diagnostic procedures.	Enemata,Enemas,Enematas
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001466	Barium Sulfate	A compound used as an x-ray contrast medium that occurs in nature as the mineral barite. It is also used in various manufacturing applications and mixed into heavy concrete to serve as a radiation shield.	Barite,Baritop,Barium Sulfate (2:1),E-Z-CAT,Micropaque Oral,E Z CAT,EZCAT,Sulfate, Barium
D013997	Time Factors	Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations.	Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor