Review, monitor, educate: A quality improvement initiative for sustained chest radiation reduction in pediatric trauma patients.
Publication/Presentation Date
11-1-2020
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We hypothesize that in pediatric trauma patients, CT scans after normal chest x-rays do not add information that alters clinical decision making.
METHODS: A retrospective review of trauma patients < 15 years with chest imaging evaluated at a pediatric trauma center between 1/2013 and 6/2019 was performed. Imaging was reviewed for significant findings that could affect care. A guideline was established in January 2017 which emphasized x-rays prior to CTs and no CTs after normal x-rays. A prospective review was performed from 1/2017-6/2019. Pre and post guideline groups were compared.
RESULTS: From 2013 to 2016, 246 patients met inclusion. 29.5% had a chest CT after a normal x-ray, only 1.8% (1/57) had a significant result. From 2017 to 2019, 188 patients were reviewed post guideline; only 9.4% received a CT after normal x-ray, of which 6.3% (1/16) were significant. Neither changed clinical management.
CONCLUSIONS: Chest CT following normal chest x-ray does not change clinical management in pediatric trauma patients. Monitoring and education following guideline implementation improves long term outcomes.
Volume
220
Issue
5
First Page
1327
Last Page
1332
ISSN
1879-1883
Published In/Presented At
Azari, S., Hoover, T., Dunstan, M., Harrison, T. J., & Browne, M. (2020). Review, monitor, educate: A quality improvement initiative for sustained chest radiation reduction in pediatric trauma patients. American journal of surgery, 220(5), 1327–1332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.06.043
Disciplines
Education | Medical Education
PubMedID
32928539
Department(s)
Department of Education, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Surgery
Document Type
Article