Improvement in patient care and operational efficiency: experience with a non-vascular interventional radiology clinic

We report an initial experience with a non-vascular interventional radiology (IR) clinic in an academic institution and assess the utility of pre-procedural evaluation and post-procedural follow-up in such a setting. Over a one-and-a-half year period, 179 patients were evaluated at our IR clinic. There were a total of 303 visits, consisting of 108 new patient pre-procedural evaluations and 195 follow-up visits, Parameters analysed included appropriateness of the indication, number of outpatient procedures performed, and follow-up outcomes. Eight patients had their procedures cancelled, seven for inappropriate indication and one for inadequate patient preparation. Twenty-two major procedures were performed as outpatients. During follow-up, three instances of disease recurrence and one case of urosepsis were discovered, We conclude that an interventional radiology clinic provides a foundation for improved patient carl. By having a better understanding of the patient's clinical condition, major procedures can be performed as outpatients, the incidence of cancelled procedures can be reduced, and complications can be diagnosed before becoming medical emergencies.