Does a new MRI on-call service improve the timely imaging for suspected cauda equina syndrome?

Average MRI examination time (from request to report) was reduced by 0.7 h in the post-on-call timepoint compared to the pre-on-call timepoint, but this was not statistically significant (U = 6558.0, p = 0.739). However, for patients referred during the on-call period (19.30 to 22.00), examination time was reduced by 14.2 h (over 70%) in the post on-call timepoint compared to the corresponding period in the pre on-call timepoint. Also, grouping data by referral periods, there was a statistically significant difference between the two timepoints (H = 74.5, d. f = 5, p < 0.001). All the requests received during the on-call hours of the post on-call timepoint were completed within 24 h which was above the 95% target while only 85% completion was achieved in the corresponding period of the pre on-call timepoint. However, this difference was not statistically significant (χ2 (5) =8.4, p = 0.137) CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that though the short period of on-call reduced the overall MRI examination time for CES slightly, the reduction was not statistically significant.