2023 In paediatric trauma patients presenting to a paediatric major trauma centre, does the choosing wisely criteria safely reduce the rate of abdominal CT scanning?

Conclusion Intra-abdominal injury was found in 20.9% of all scans. 96.4% of CT abdomen requisitions adhered to NWCMTN guidelines. NWCMTN guidelines identified 3.6% of patients with no indications for a CT abdomen. The Choosing Wisely criteria identified 5.2% of patients at very low risk of intra-abdominal injury with no indications for a CT abdomen. Almost all decisions to perform a CT abdomen in paediatric major trauma in the ED at Alder Hey are consistent with the NWCMTN guidelines. CT abdomen scans could be safely reduced by adopting the Choosing Wisely criteria. This audit highlights the importance of maximising guideline adherence and the challenge of identifying patients at very low risk of intra-abdominal injury.
Source: Emergency Medicine Journal - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: APEM Lightning Papers Source Type: research