What accounts for most of the repeated radiographs (retakes/repeats) today?

The primary factor that accounts for most of the repeated radiographs today is the incorrect selection of primary factors. This includes settings such as kilovoltage (kV), milliamperage (mA), and exposure time, which are crucial for obtaining a quality image. If these factors are not chosen correctly based on the specific imaging situation—such as patient size, type of examination, or the anatomy being imaged—the radiograph may be underexposed or overexposed, leading to a loss of diagnostic quality.

In radiography, obtaining an accurate exposure is essential to produce clear, detailed images without unnecessary repeats. Each time a radiograph is repeated, it not only consumes additional resources but also contributes to a greater patient dose, which is a significant concern in radiology practice. Therefore, training and proficiency in selecting the appropriate primary factors are imperative to minimize the occurrence of retakes due to poor image quality resulting from incorrect exposure settings.