Parikh Ashishkumar,  Pruthi Sumit,  Hernanz-schulman Marta

Final Pr. ID: Poster #: SCI-001

Recently JACHO proposed to address double scanning in pediatric chest CT, yet there are no data to determine whether this takes place; similarly, there is discussion regarding validity of sending pediatric patients to adult-focused practices for routine imaging by third party payors. Our purpose is to review the technical factors that impact upon radiation dose and image quality in CT scans of children referred from adult-focused practices to a children’s hospital, referenced to pre-Image Gently values. To our knowledge this is the first such review that includes body and neuro scans and extensive technique and exposure data Read More

Authors:  Parikh Ashishkumar , Pruthi Sumit , Hernanz-schulman Marta

Keywords:  ALARA, Image Gently, Radiation

Boileau Caroline,  Treanor Lee,  Kapoor Cassandra,  Highmore Kerri,  Miller Elka

Final Pr. ID: Poster #: EDU-001 (T)

Imaging requisitions are the legal documents that health professionals use to communicate to radiologists and Medical Radiation Technologists (MRT(R)s) the relevant clinical information to guide their requested radiographic examination. Inadequate or incomplete information may have a substantial impact on patient care.

Since the implementation of our electronic medical record system, EPIC (Epic Systems Corp.), we have the ability to track the number of errors on requisitions; the most common error is having the incorrect body parts selected or multiple unnecessary exams being ordered. The MRT(R)’s identify these errors and correct the inconsistencies following departmental protocols. Without such vigilance on the MRT(R)’s part, inappropriate radiographs could have been performed and could lead to additional, unnecessary radiation exposure. To help select the most appropriate protocol, educate and guide the health professionals at our hospital, an electronic software tool, “EDI” has been created.

EDI (Examine the patient, Determine the correct radiograph, Input the order with pertinent and relevant clinical information) is an interactive tool that includes the exam protocol with the associated views per body part. Each exam also includes EDI with the field of view that will be exposed to radiation during the exam.

Our goal is that EDI will serve health professionals to better understand what order needs to be selected in the electronic system and which radiographs will be provided. Ultimately, this will reduce any unnecessary exams and reduce pediatric radiation exposure. Read More

Authors:  Boileau Caroline , Treanor Lee , Kapoor Cassandra , Highmore Kerri , Miller Elka

Keywords:  Appropriateness Criteria, Image Gently, ALARA

Schaiberger Gregory,  Sharma Priya,  Rajderkar Dhanashree

Final Pr. ID: Poster #: EDU-022 (S)

The use of computed tomography (CT) in radiology has risen dramatically over the past 2 decades. Over 7 million pediatric CT studies per year are performed in the United States. Children are particularly at risk for the cumulative adverse lifetime effects of ionizing radiation. It is associated with a small but significant increase in lifetime risk of fatal cancer. For this reason, the campaign of “Imaging Gently” was created, whose purpose is to raise awareness of the opportunities to lower radiation dose in the imaging of children. Minimizing the dose in children is a high priority in pediatric radiology, and as a result the use of modalities utilizing non-ionizing radiation is encouraged.

For the reasons discussed above, ultrasound is often the first line tool in the diagnosis of pediatric emergencies. The purpose of this educational article is to further discuss “imaging gently” and the importance of utilizing non-ionizing radiation such as ultrasound to diagnose various pediatric emergencies. These emergencies include but are not limited to acute appendicitis, hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, intussusception, testicular torsion, and ovarian torsion. The imaging technique, pertinent findings, differential diagnosis, imaging pitfalls and treatment will be discussed. Image-rich examples of each diagnosis will be provided. Read More

Authors:  Schaiberger Gregory , Sharma Priya , Rajderkar Dhanashree

Keywords:  Ultrasound, Image, Gently