Hospital-level factors associated with use of pediatric radiation dose-reduction protocols for head CT: results from a national survey.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To examine hospital-level factors associated with the use of a dedicated pediatric dose-reduction protocol and protective shielding for head CT in a national sample of hospitals.

Methods

A mixed-mode (online and paper) survey was administered to a stratified random sample of US community hospitals (N = 751). Respondents provided information on pediatric head CT scanning practices, including use of a dose-reduction protocol. Modified Poisson regression analyses describe the relative risk (RR) of not reporting the use of a pediatric dose-reduction protocol or protective shielding; multivariable analyses adjust for census region, trauma level, children's hospital status, and bed size.

Results

Of hospitals that were contacted, 38 were ineligible (no CT scanner,

SUBMITTER: Graves JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4082793 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature