Effect of a Protocol to Reduce Radiographic Imaging in Pediatric Patients With Suspected Fractures.
Journal
Journal of pediatric orthopedics
ISSN: 1539-2570
Titre abrégé: J Pediatr Orthop
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 8109053
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 Jan 2023
01 Jan 2023
Historique:
pubmed:
10
9
2022
medline:
15
12
2022
entrez:
9
9
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Children with suspected fractures are typically evaluated with multiple x-rays. This approach can add time, discomfort, and radiation exposure without clinical benefit. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a focused radiographic protocol could reduce the number of x-rays performed without missing any fractures. Pediatric patients presenting at 2 sites within an academic medical center [urgent care (UC) and the emergency department(ED)] for a suspected fracture were identified. There were 495 patients (UC, 409; ED, 86) over a 3-month period. A retrospective chart review was performed to characterize the standard x-rays performed. Using this data, a simplified protocol was developed and distributed. Subsequently, 333 patients (UC, 259; ED, 74) were evaluated over the same period 1-year later. The main outcome measures included the final diagnosis, the total number of x-rays, the number of anatomic areas imaged, visit length, and the time for additional trips to radiology. Charts were reviewed to identify any missed injuries. Welch 2-sample t tests and Fisher exact tests were used for statistical analysis. After implementing the radiographic protocol, there was a significant reduction in the number of x-ray views, 3.4 versus 5.1 ( P <0.001). There was a decrease in imaging of multiple anatomic areas with the largest reduction occurring in patients presenting with elbow injuries (9% vs. 44%, P <0.001). No difference was found in the rate of patients sent back to radiology (6% vs. 7%, P =0.67). However, among patients presenting with outside imaging, significantly fewer were sent to radiology for additional x-rays (29% vs. 50%, P <0.01). A simple radiographic protocol for evaluating pediatric patients with suspected fractures safely led to a decrease in the overall number of x-rays without missing any injuries. Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Children with suspected fractures are typically evaluated with multiple x-rays. This approach can add time, discomfort, and radiation exposure without clinical benefit. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a focused radiographic protocol could reduce the number of x-rays performed without missing any fractures.
METHODS
METHODS
Pediatric patients presenting at 2 sites within an academic medical center [urgent care (UC) and the emergency department(ED)] for a suspected fracture were identified. There were 495 patients (UC, 409; ED, 86) over a 3-month period. A retrospective chart review was performed to characterize the standard x-rays performed. Using this data, a simplified protocol was developed and distributed. Subsequently, 333 patients (UC, 259; ED, 74) were evaluated over the same period 1-year later. The main outcome measures included the final diagnosis, the total number of x-rays, the number of anatomic areas imaged, visit length, and the time for additional trips to radiology. Charts were reviewed to identify any missed injuries. Welch 2-sample t tests and Fisher exact tests were used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS
RESULTS
After implementing the radiographic protocol, there was a significant reduction in the number of x-ray views, 3.4 versus 5.1 ( P <0.001). There was a decrease in imaging of multiple anatomic areas with the largest reduction occurring in patients presenting with elbow injuries (9% vs. 44%, P <0.001). No difference was found in the rate of patients sent back to radiology (6% vs. 7%, P =0.67). However, among patients presenting with outside imaging, significantly fewer were sent to radiology for additional x-rays (29% vs. 50%, P <0.01).
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
A simple radiographic protocol for evaluating pediatric patients with suspected fractures safely led to a decrease in the overall number of x-rays without missing any injuries.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
METHODS
Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36084624
doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000002262
pii: 01241398-202301000-00022
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
61-64Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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