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

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.

Conclusions: Imaging played a substantial role in providing medical services at the London 2012 summer Olympics.