Sports Medicine & Arthroscopy Journal Scan

Imaging at London 2012 summer Olympic Games: analysis of demand and distribution of workload.

Br J Sports Med. 2013 Jul 23;

Authors: Bethapudi S, Budgett R, Engebretsen L, O'Connor P

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Very little data on the provision of imaging services at the summer Olympic Games have been published before. With 7.9 million Euros (£6.6 million, US$11 million) invested into setting up the imaging equipment at the purpose-built polyclinics for London 2012 summer Olympics, an ideal opportunity was presented to study the demand and distribution of workload on imaging services at the games.
SETTING: Imaging services within polyclinics, London 2012 summer Olympic Games.
AIMS: To analyse the demand and distribution of workload on radiology services at the London 2012 summer Olympic Games.
METHODS: Data on radiological investigations performed at London 2012 summer Olympic Games were retrieved from Radiology Information System-picture archiving communication system, ATOS medical encounter database and analysed.
RESULTS: 1711 diagnostic and interventional procedures were performed at the Stratford Polyclinic within the main games village. Of these 48.8% were MRI scans, 20.2% were diagnostic ultrasound examinations, 23.6% were plain radiographs, 2.9% were CT scans and interventional procedures accounted for 4.3%. Nearly 75% of imaging was performed on athletes while less than 5% of the services were utilised by the workforce. Demand on radiology services peaked during week 2 of the games.