Physician Groups Join Forces to Improve Use of Head CT Scans in Children

Washington, DC – The Image Gently Alliance, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pediatric Neurosurgery and allied medical organizations have launched the“Think A-Head” campaign to help providers appropriately obtain and perform computed tomography (CT) scans in children with minor head injuries. The effort will also equip providers and parents with resources to help them communicate effectively when CT scans may (or may not) be the best option to gain proper diagnosis. The“Think A-Head” campaign provides tools and resources to:Help providers ensure ordering patterns comply with latest evidence-based medical guidelinesHelp providers explain to parents/caregivers why an imaging scan is (or is not) necessaryHelp parentsask questions to better inform decision making if their child is prescribed a head CT scanHelp imaging professionalsuse appropriate exam radiation dose “This collaboration is a tremendous opportunity to ensure that providers have the latest information on which to base their medical decisions, that parents can take an active, informed role in advocating for their child’s health care, and that children receive the most appropriate care for their medical situation” said Donald Frush, MD, chair of the Image Gently Alliance and Image Gently liaison to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Physicians– If kids hurt th...
Source: American College of Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: news