Assessing compliance: an audit of radiology request forms among private hospitals in Asaba, Delta state

Background A Radiology request form (RRF) is an essential means of communication between referring physicians and radiology departments. Inadequately filled forms can lead to misinterpretations and delays in diagnosis, particularly in private clinics, which often lack auditing practices. Objective To audit the completeness of RFFs among private clinics in Asaba, Nigeria, identify common errors, enhance patient safety, and ensure compliance with established guidelines. Methods A retrospective audit was conducted at Ideal Diagnostics, a radiology referral centre in Asaba. Two audit cycles were performed from May to September in the years 2023 and 2024, respectively, analysing 320 RFFs in each cycle. The completeness of each form was evaluated based on criteria established by the Royal College of Radiologists. Results In the first audit cycle, no form was completely filled, and the completion rate across various fields was low overall. The second cycle showed significant improvement, with higher completion rates for critical fields. The most frequently filled entries in both cycles included the patient name and requested investigation. Conclusion The audit revealed substantial gaps in the initial filling of RFFs but demonstrated marked improvement following targeted recommendations. Continuous training and communication between referring physicians in private clinics and radiologists are crucial to enhancing the quality of RFFs, ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes in private healthcare settings.