Diagnostic Imaging Referral

Diagnostic Imaging Referral Form

All medically qualified, GMC registered, practitioners are entitled to refer patients to OSD Healthcare for the following examinations:

• X-ray
• CT
• MRI
• Ultrasound
• Mammography

As a referrer to OSD Healthcare, you are responsible for the provision of correct patient details and sufficient clinical information to enable the justification of a medical exposure to ionising radiation, by completing the relevant referral forms correctly. By using the full and correct information on the referral form, the patient checks and booking in process are more safe and efficient. We justify each referral using the most recent iRefer guidance, anything out of scope will be excluded and returned back. If you wish to have access to the iRefer guidelines, please contact osd-imaging@osdhealthcare.co.uk

The referrer must discuss the proposed examination with the patient or guardian; and must take into account the possibility of pregnancy for patients of reproductive age (12-55).

Where radiological examinations require the patient to have IV contrast media, it is important that the referrer considers the creatinine blood level of ‘at risk’ patients such as the elderly and those with known renal impairment. For any examinations involving bowel prep this must be prescribed by the referring consultant, it is not the responsibility of the radiology department to organise this.

For MRI scanning requests, the referrer must also consider contraindications such as a cardiac pacemaker or pacing wire, cerebral aneurysm clip, cochlear implant and neuro / bio stimulators. The referrer should also indicate for MRI scanning whether the patient has any metal implants, any history of penetrating metal injury to their eyes or medical devices attached to their body.

Pregnant patients should only be scanned after the risk and benefit of the study has been explained to them by the referrer and after consultation with a radiologist.