ABSTRACT
Repeating X-ray examinations as a common problem in radiology units, represents additional, non-billable cost due to increased film, chemistry and equipment use as well as increased personnel time. Furthermore, patients receive additional radiation exposure from repetitions and must remain on the premises until the second exam is completed. It is common to encounter patients undergo repeat X-ray exams after their initials are rejected for poor quality of other unpleasant factors of no diagnosis. This creates a situation which necessitates the need to explore the causes of repeat and reject examinations and possible remedies. A prospective cross sectional study approach was used in this study. Repeat rate was measured for the three hospitals of interest. Analysis has shown that in Central Diagnostic Centre, the overall repeat rate causes were exposure emer; (30.65%) and artifacts (8.06%), patient movement (12.90%), processing error (32.26%) and artifacts (16.130%). In University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar exposure error (39.29%), positioning problem (21.43%) patient movement (22.12%), processor error (7.14%) and artefact (9.52%) and in General Hospital calabar, Exposure error (24.42%) positioning problem (16.28%), patient movement (11.63%), processing error (34.88%) and artifacts (12.79). The obvious reason for repeats in C.D.C. and G.H.C. is processing error and exposure while UCTH is exposure error and patient movement. This result was obtained from a total of 663 radiographs across the three hospitals with UCTH having the highest exams of 291 radiographs, GHC with 160 radiographs and GDC with 212 radiographs examined for the purpose of this study.