Optimizing Advanced Imaging of the Pediatric Patient in the Emergency Department: Policy Statement
Jennifer R. Marín, Todd W. Lyons, Ilene Claudius, Mary E. Fallat, Michael Aquino, Timothy Ruttan, Reza Daugherty, Gregory P. Conners, Sylvia Owusu‐Ansah, Kerry Caperell, Jennifer A. Hoffmann, Benson Hsu, Deborah Hsu, Jennifer E. McCain, Mohsen Saidinejad, Muhammad Waseem, Sue Tellez, Hansel J. Otero, Patricia T. Acharya, Adina Alazraki, Ellen Benya, Brandon P. Brown, Laura Laskosz, Christopher S. Amato, Alexandria G. Georgadarellis, Ann Dietrich, Annalise Sorrentino, Ashley A. Foster, Carmen Sulton, Cindy Chang, Daniel Slubowski, Dina Wallin, Donna Mendez, Emily Rose, Erika Bishop Crawford, Genevieve Santillanes, George Hsu, Gwendolyn C. Hooley, Isabel A. Barata, James L. Homme, Jeffrey M. Goodloe, Jessica Wall, Jonathan H. Valente, Joshua Easter, Joyce Li, Kathleen Brown, Kathleen T. Berg, Kiyetta Alade, Lauren Rice, Madeline Joseph, Marc Auerbach, Marianne Gausche‐Hill, Melanie Heniff, Michael J. Stoner, Michael Gerardi, Mohsen Saidinejad, Moon O. Lee, Muhammad Waseem, Paul Ishimine, Samuel H. F. Lam, Sean M. Fox, Shyam M. Sivasankar, Simone L. Lawson, Siraj Amanullah, Sophia Lin, Stephen M. Sandelich, Tabitha Cheng, Theresa A. Walls, Zachary Burroughs, Sam Shahid
Abstract
Advanced imaging, including ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, is an integral component to the evaluation and management of ill and injured children in the emergency department. As with any test or intervention, the benefits and potential impacts on management must be weighed against the risks to ensure that high-value care is being delivered. There are important considerations specific to the pediatric patient related to the ordering and interpretation of advanced imaging. This policy statement provides guidelines for institutions and those who care for children to optimize the use of advanced imaging in the emergency department setting and was coauthored by experts in pediatric and general emergency medicine, pediatric radiology, and pediatric surgery. The intent is to guide decision-making where children may access care.