The Problem of Image Rejects/Retakes .

 This issue of image rejects/retakes is a major problem within radiology. The main problems with this is it can occupy unnecessary resources, expose patients and radiographers to unnecessary ionizing radiation, and indicates suboptimal quality management. Image reject/retakes mostly happen because of incorrect operator competence as in positioning, type of film, and incorrect organ coding. Unfortunately the product of an image reject/retake that is not immediately recognized can lead to a misdiagnosis. In addition to problems with the reasons of image reject/retake in mobile radiography equipment exposure faults which can lead to more unnecessary radiation exposure and equipment malfunction. After a image reject/retake is taken there are three steps that should be taken although if the image was taken correctly this would not be necessary. First, the new image that will need to be taken is going to have to be done within a reasonable time as not to worsen the condition. Secondly, a report of what happened should be understood and known by radiologist and radiographers. Finally, the cost of proposed corrective actions should be taken into account any useless actions certainly should be avoided.

 Thankfully there is recently new technology to radiology which is known as "digital revolution" or basically going totally digital. The digital revolution has made a drastic change in the percentage of image reject/retake from 10-15% down to 3-5%. Decrease in percentage of image reject/retake is a helpful outcome of more education and training which is a consequence of lack of knowledge from radiographers and their digital skills. If only a new educational training program on digital skills was a six month requirement, maybe that's something to work on in the radiology profession. I'm almost positive that such a program would make image rejects/retakes go down from 3-5% to 1-3%. Also a great new value for decreasing the problem is equipment and operator performance programs is a great idea for improving as well. An added bonus to going completely digital is it's also economically rewarding and in this day in age is a very good thing.