This includes periodic health exams, pre-employment health assessments, tuberculosis screening, preoperative and pre-admission screening and cancer screening. There is little evidence to indicate that patient outcomes are improved with screening in these populations. Furthermore, exposure to unnecessary radiation may exceed any potential benefits. Chest X-rays on asymptomatic patients may also result in false positive reporting, which may cause undue stress. The decision to order a chest X-ray should be considered on careful evaluation of any patient presentation indicative of respiratory disease or illness.
Sources:
Canadian Association of Radiologists. 2012 CAR diagnostic imaging referral guidelines. Section E: Cardiovascular [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2017 Aug 8].
Canadian Association of Radiologists. Medical imaging primer with a focus on X-ray usage and safety [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2017 Aug 8].
Tigges S, et al. Routine chest radiography in a primary care setting. Radiology. 2004 Nov;233(2):575-8. PMID: 15516621.