Imaging at London 2012 summer Olympic Games: analysis of demand and distribution of workload

BACKGROUND: Very little data on the provision of imaging services at the summer Olympic Games have been published before. With 7.9 million Euros (£6.6 million, US$11 million) invested into setting up the imaging equipment at the purpose-built polyclinics for London 2012 summer Olympics, an ideal opportunity was presented to study the demand and distribution of workload on imaging services at the games. SETTING: Imaging services within polyclinics, London 2012 summer Olympic Games. AIMS: To analyse the demand and distribution of workload on radiology services at the London 2012 summer Olympic Games. METHODS: Data on radiological investigations performed at London 2012 summer Olympic Games were retrieved from Radiology Information System-picture archiving communication system, ATOS medical encounter database and analysed. RESULTS: 1711 diagnostic and interventional procedures were performed at the Stratford Polyclinic within the main games village. Of these 48.8% were MRI scans, 20.2% were diagnostic ultrasound examinations, 23.6% were plain radiographs, 2.9% were CT scans and interventional procedures accounted for 4.3%. Nearly 75% of imaging was performed on athletes while less than 5% of the services were utilised by the workforce. Demand on radiology services peaked during week 2 of the games. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging played a substantial role in providing medical services at the London 2012 summer Olympics.