Given the burdens of patient transportation in the developing world and cost associated with unnecessary consultations and imaging tests, bedside ultrasound can help streamline diagnosis and patient care.
Lumbar radiculopathy is a common reason for physician consultations and imaging referrals [ 1- 3].
Overall, recommendations included specialist consultation (40.8%), imaging (32.5%), laboratory investigations (17.2%), surveillance (4.6%), and family investigations (4.9%).
Transmitting the following complementary information is essential to the correct interpretation of patient data: type of document (surgery report, consultation letter, imaging report), its creation date and location (institution, department), the health professional who generated the information and the chaining of documents relative to one another.
IR is a new field for radiologists, and interventional radiologists are actively involved in patient consultation, guidance and treatment, beyond imaging.
Hospital admission, discharge, and progress notes, as well as consultation reports, laboratory tests and imaging studies were reviewed as needed.
Thus, the total cost covered all the salaries, materials, full allocation of step-down costs (e.g. administration, depreciation, rent) and all secondary expenses such as the use of laboratory and imaging facilities and consultations with personnel of other specialities.
Relevant medical recommendations included: laboratory testing, specialist consultations, diagnostic imaging, surveillance protocols, and investigations for other family members.
The unit cost of each medical service for consultations and imaging procedures was documented from the RAM Qs list of medical procedures act codes approved for physician reimbursement fees in Quebec [ 10, 11].
Final services in relation to HIV care at AMH included outpatient consultations at the HIV Clinic, laboratory tests, imaging, drug provision, and inpatient services.
