An audit of computed tomography request practices for suspected cervical spine injury post‐guideline change in a tertiary referral paediatric hospital

Abstract

Background Paediatric neck injuries are a common presenting complaint to emergency departments (EDs). Medical imaging can assist diagnosis, however previous research suggests computed tomography (CT) scan results do not alter management in this patient group and therefore expose children to unnecessary radiation. Following an audit by the hospital Trauma Service that identified unnecessary cervical spine CTs in patients at Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH), Adelaide, the Clinical Procedure for imaging and clearance of the cervical spine in conscious patients was modified to include CT scan only at the request of the orthopaedic service. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a change in hospital guideline resulted in a change in practice and radiation exposure. Methods A retrospective review was performed for patients that presented to the WCH ED with a suspected cervical spine injury during two defined time periods pre‐ and post‐guideline change. Mechanism of injury, imaging requested, radiation exposure and final diagnosis were compared. Results Three hundred seventy‐nine patients were included, with 164 (43.3%) post‐guideline changes. Radiograph use was similar between groups, 132/215 (61.4%) versus 101/164 (61.6%) (p = 0.97). CT scan use was lower post‐guideline modification 19/215 (8.8%) versus 12/164 (7.3%), however was not statistically significant (p = 0.59), with an absolute reduction of 17%. Conclusion Guideline modification at our hospital did not significantly reduce CT scan use or eliminate unnecessary CTs. Unnecessary CT scans followed lack of knowledge of and therefore compliance with guidelines. Individual hospitals should consider strategies to reduce unnecessary CTs, given the association with cancer risk in children.