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18.
Method of Operation. While operating at the Mass Radiography Centre "miniature"
sessions were held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with sessions from 9.15 a.m.
to 12.30 p.m. and from 2.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Throughout the year separate
sessions were arranged for men and women, although early in 1958 the Unit discontinued
this practice and now examines both sexes during the same sessions.
Tuesdays and Thursdays were allocated for the reading of miniature films, taking
and reading large films, interviews by the Medical Director, and the dispatch of
results to examinees who provide a stamped addressed envelope for this purpose.
During the mobile periods sessions were arranged to meet particular
requirements. Whenever possible a firm's internal postal system was used for the
dissemination of results and recalls for large films. Further time was saved by
the daily reading of miniature films. Except for large films examinees are Xrayed
over their clothes; ladies being advised what to avoid wearing on the day
of examination. No expense has been incurred for hiring accommodation when the
Unit was mobile, and it is only right and proper that we should record our
appreciation of the services rendered by firms, etc.
Many City firms insist on a Chest X-ray when new staff is undergoing a
medical examination. The result of such an examination is, of course, sent to
the examinee.
Medical Procedure. Abnormal cases (after an interview with the Medical Director)
are referred, through the examinee's own doctor, to the appropriate Chest Clinic.
The ultimate diagnosis is secured from the latter through the medium of the form
designed for this purpose. We express our grateful thanks to the many Chest
Clinics, to which we have referred cases, for their helpful co-operation.
All clinics have recorded their sputum findings, and thirty-one cases with a
positive sputum have been reported, of which twenty-seven were male and four
female. This denotes an increase of 50% on the 1956 returns.
The Unit classifies its abnormal miniatures and appropriate notification is
passed to the examinee. Thus when an examinee's film shows scars of old, and now
healed, lesions he (or she) does not receive the normal notification card but a
specially worded letter. Where an investigation is outside the purview of a Chest
Clinic, the co-operation of St.Bartholomew's Hospital is secured, and with
appreciation I acknowledge the help rendered by Dr.N.C.Oswald and his colleagues.
Increasing use is made of the re-examination of previous miniatures for
comparison purposes to clear up doubtful abnormalities. Such en investigation
may go back eight years. Suspected malignant disease and most of the
sarcoidosis cases have been brought to light by these reviews.
The recall rate for large films is thereby lowered to the advantage of the
examinee who is spared an unnecessary journey and anxiety, without impairment to
the efficiency and accuracy of the Unit. There is a corresponding saving of time
and materials.