Essential requirements of a CT colonography service

• Published in: European journal of radiology Vol. 82; no. 8; pp. 1187 - 1191
• Main Authors: Hansmann, Anika, Burling, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.08.2013
• Subjects: Colonography; Colonography, Computed Tomographic; Colorectal cancer; Computed tomographic; CT colonography; Delivery of Health Care - organization & administration; Diagnostic services; Models, Organizational; Organizational Objectives; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Radiology; Radiology - organization & administration; Referral and Consultation - organization & administration; United Kingdom; Virtual colonoscopy; Computed tomographic; Virtual colonoscopy; Diagnostic services; CT colonography; Colonography; Colorectal cancer
• ISSN: 0720-048X; 1872-7727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2012.03.018

Abstract There are many potential challenges to developing a high quality, efficient CT colonography service. Some are clear and predictable, for example creating CT capacity and securing financial resources, but some are less obvious, such as harnessing local support or changing referral practice amongst clinical colleagues. Notwithstanding, such barriers will need to be overcome to deliver a well-resourced, successful CT colonography programme. This article utilises the authors’ experience of developing their own CT colonography service from scratch (now examining >1200 patients per annum) and relevant published articles on ‘Standards’ of practice and training to recommend how others might provide CT colonography in their own patient communities. We offer a practical guide and will emphasise the need for a multi-disciplinary approach with locally agreed protocols and service objectives.