Diagnostic imaging precision, medication safety, and clinical nursing interventions in hospital care: a systematic review of primary research involving radiology, pharmacy, and nursing professionals

Abstract

Hospital safety depends on accurate imaging interpretation, reliable medication management, and effective nursing interventions. These activities address sources of preventable harm in diagnosis, treatment, and bedside care. This review examined primary research evaluating interventions delivered by radiology professionals, pharmacists, and nurses. Publications available through May 2026 were considered. Nine primary studies were organized into imaging, medication safety, and nursing domains. Findings were synthesized narratively because designs, populations, comparators, and outcome definitions differed. Immediate radiographic reporting reduced interpretive discordance from 7.9% to 2.9%. Double reading produced clinically important changes in 14% of abdominal computed tomography reports and 9% of chest reports. Pharmacist participation in clinical rounds was associated with reductions in preventable adverse drug events, whereas a randomized discharge intervention produced no significant reduction in clinically important medication errors. Nursing studies reported lower fall rates with individualized prevention toolkits, with a large cluster randomized trial reporting no significant benefit from the 6-PACK programme. Data addressed separate professional interventions rather than a combined multidisciplinary pathway. Targeted professional interventions improved selected safety outcomes, with effects varying between settings and intervention designs. Imaging report changes represented potential clinical relevance rather than confirmed reductions in patient harm. Hospital implementation requires responsibilities, timely communication, patient engagement, and outcome monitoring. Direct evaluation of integrated radiology, pharmacy, and nursing pathways remains a research priority.