Requesting imaging from ROTD is bread and butter for HOs. Here are some simple tips for successful radiology request:

1. Know your patient history & progress, and some relevant investigations in relation to the imaging that you are requesting (must be confident enough to present your case / request to ROTD)
2. Clear indication
3. Clear urgency (confirm the urgency of scan from your superiors)
   • Urgent means to be done today
   • Early: how early? next week? next 2 weeks? next month?
   • Outpatient: how many months? where is patient’s appointment? (SOPD? MOPD? Ortho clinic? etc.), so that the Radiology department will know where to dispatch the imaging results & films
4. When requesting for CT scan, don’t forget to bring X ray films (especially if you are working in a place where physical films are still being used)
5. When requesting for CT scan (e.g. for malignancy), try look for and bring patient’s relevant previous imaging formal report e.g. previous USG neck report / previous HRCT or CTPA report and films etc.
   • If this is the 2nd CT scan (e.g. 2nd time CT brain) for that patient during current / recent admission, it would helpful to the radiologist to COMPARE findings if you can attach together the formal report as well as film / CD
6. CECT requires consent for contrast, please don’t forget to sign and then attach together with the imaging request form to avoid rejection.
7. For outpatient imaging, make sure you get patient’s valid phone number beforehand, for appointment counter purpose

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Actually if you are not sure of the indication, you can always CLARIFY with your MO / specialist (most of the time they are the best people who know what they want to see / plan based on the imaging requested)

For example, your superior said “Plan: request USG Abdomen”

Then, these questions should come in your mind:

1. “Why we request this imaging?”
2. “Should I request as urgent or to get early date as inpatient?”

🎾 Because radiologist will also want to know about this from you / the primary team!

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Sometimes your bosses will tell you the important points to be presented to ROTD, to make the imaging request to be granted easier
So it is important to ASK if you are unsure.

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When you are getting more senior, hopefully you will be somehow more experienced and know how to deal with certain situations better 😊