Professional Assessment of Radiographic Contrast Media Utilisation Practices at Radiology Departments in Rivers State

Contrast media utilisation practices, encompassing patient pre-assessment, contrast agent selection, injection protocols, and post-examination monitoring, determine both diagnostic effectiveness and patient safety in CT, fluoroscopy, and MRI examinations using enhancement agents. In Rivers State, South South Nigeria, the contrast media practice standards across public and private radiology departments have not been professionally assessed. This study professionally assesses contrast media utilisation practices at radiology departments in Rivers State. A cross-sectional professional audit is conducted across twelve radiology departments, including University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and eleven secondary hospital and private imaging facilities. The audit instrument evaluates pre-examination creatinine screening for CT contrast, iodinated contrast agent type and concentration selection practices, power injector use and flow rate protocols, pre-medication practices for high-risk patients, and post-examination observation protocols. Structured interviews with 65 radiographers and radiologists provide practice context data. Descriptive statistics and compliance scoring are computed in SPSS. Literature from South South Nigerian radiology contexts identifies absent creatinine pre-screening, use of high-osmolarity ionic contrast agents in preference to lower-risk iso-osmolar alternatives, and inadequate post-contrast observation facilities as the predominant practice quality gaps. The ESUR Contrast Media Safety Guidelines and the ACR Manual on Contrast Media provide the professional standard. Findings are expected to reveal significant pre-examination assessment deficiencies. Recommendations address standardised contrast media protocols, mandatory creatinine screening systems, and post-contrast observation protocols across Rivers State radiology departments. Keywords: contrast media, utilisation practices, radiology departments, Rivers State, South South Nigeria.