Experience and results after the implementation of a radiology day unit in a reference hospital.
Nuria Roson, Andreu Antolin, Richard Mast, Cristina Sanchéz-Tirado, Jesús Griñón, Jordi Andreu, Mercedes Perez Lafuente, Alejandro Tomasello, Manuel Escobar
Author Information
Nuria Roson: Department of Radiology, Institut de Diagnòstic per la Imatge (IDI), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. ORCID
Andreu Antolin: Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. antolin.andreu@gmail.com. ORCID
Richard Mast: Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. ORCID
Cristina Sanchéz-Tirado: Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
Jesús Griñón: Department of Radiology, Institut de Diagnòstic per la Imatge (IDI), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
Jordi Andreu: Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
Mercedes Perez Lafuente: Department of Radiology, Institut de Diagnòstic per la Imatge (IDI), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. ORCID
Alejandro Tomasello: Department of Radiology, Institut de Diagnòstic per la Imatge (IDI), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. ORCID
Manuel Escobar: Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. ORCID
BACKGROUND: Interventional radiological procedures have significantly increased in recent years. Most of them are minimally invasive and require a short hospitalization, mainly done in other non-radiological units nowadays. Limited bed availability and high occupancy rates in these units create longer waiting lists and cancellations. The aim of this retrospective study is to assess the creation and functioning of a Radiology Day Unit (RDU) and evaluating its outcomes. For this purpose, data about interventional procedures and its complications, incidents, patient safety, quality and satisfaction rates were collected from May 2018 to December 2020, and posteriorly analyzed to evaluate its implementation. RESULTS: During the assessed period, 3841 patients were admitted into the RDU, with a net increase of 13% and 26% in the second and third year, respectively. Procedures performed by the Abdominal Radiology section were the most frequent (76-85%) followed by Interventional Vascular Radiology and Thoracic Radiology. Complication rates were low (1.5%) and most of them were self-limited and managed in the own department. Waiting lists were significantly reduced, from 2 months to 1 week in case of procedures performed by the Abdominal Radiology section. Patient satisfaction was higher than 80% in all the items evaluated with a global satisfaction of 93%. CONCLUSION: The RDU in our hospital has become a vital section for the management and post-procedure caring of patients undergoing interventional procedures in the Radiology Service with low complication rates and overall high levels of quality and patient safety, allowing the reduction of waiting lists and occupancy rates.
