ACR Appropriateness Criteria Head Trauma Shetty, Vilaas S., MD; Reis, Martin N., MD; Aulino, Joseph M., MD ...
Journal of the American College of Radiology,
06/2016, Letnik:
13, Številka:
6
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Abstract Neuroimaging plays an important role in the management of head trauma. Several guidelines have been published for identifying which patients can avoid neuroimaging. Noncontrast head CT is ...the most appropriate initial examination in patients with minor or mild acute closed head injury who require neuroimaging as well as patients with moderate to severe acute closed head injury. In short-term follow-up neuroimaging of acute traumatic brain injury, CT and MRI may have complementary roles. In subacute to chronic traumatic brain injury, MRI is the most appropriate initial examination, though CT may have a complementary role in select circumstances. Advanced neuroimaging techniques are areas of active research but are not considered routine clinical practice at this time. In suspected intracranial vascular injury, CT angiography or venography or MR angiography or venography is the most appropriate imaging study. In suspected posttraumatic cerebrospinal fluid leak, high-resolution noncontrast skull base CT is the most appropriate initial imaging study to identify the source, with cisternography reserved for problem solving. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every three years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances in which evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment.
With the promotion and incentivization of electronic health records and computerized order entry by CMS, there is a unique opportunity to catalyze the use of evidence-based guidelines with the ...inclusion of clinical decision support (CDS) tools. Imaging CDS tools have evolved from static paper algorithms, checklists, and scores to interactive systems that provide feedback and recommendations with the intent of directing health care providers to deliver best practices. Some of the major limitations of first generation imaging CDS tools include a lack of comprehensive evidence-based guidelines, limited ability to input detailed patient conditions and symptoms, and time-intensive user interfaces. Next-generation imaging CDS tools will attempt to close the information and interface gaps to provide more meaningful guidance to health care providers and improve the delivery of best practices to patients.
Abstract Background Ultrasound guidance for insertion of a peripheral venous catheter is becoming common practice in many emergency departments in the difficult-to-access patient, and simulation has ...become an important tool for health care practitioners to learn this technique. Commercial trainers are expensive, and low-cost alternatives described to date provide a sub-optimal training experience. We introduce ballistics gel as a new material for the creation of simulating phantoms. Materials and Methods Directions describe construction of a simulating phantom composed of 10% ballistic gelatin and commonly available latex tubing. The model's success as used by one residency training program and medical school is described. Results Cost per phantom was $22.83, with less than an hour preparation time per phantom. We found these phantoms to offer a comparable user experience to commercially available products and better than other homemade products. Discussion Ballistics gel is a novel material for production of simulation phantoms that provides a low-cost, realistic simulation experience. The clear gel material works well for novice learners, and opacifying agents can be added to increase difficulty for more advanced learners. The material offers flexibility in design to make models for a broad range of skill instruction. Conclusion A relatively quick and easy process using ballistics gel allowed us to create a simulation experience similar to commercially available trainers at a fraction of the cost.
Abstract Background Several organizations have developed frameworks to systematically assess the value of new drugs. These organizations include the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the ...European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Objectives To understand the extent to which these four tools can facilitate value-based treatment decisions in oncology. Methods In this pilot study, eight panelists conducted value assessments of five advanced lung cancer drugs using the ASCO, ESMO, and ICER frameworks. The panelists received instructions and published clinical data required to complete the assessments. Published NCCN framework scores were abstracted. The Kendall's W coefficient was used to measure convergent validity among the four frameworks. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to measure inter-rater reliability among the ASCO, ESMO, and ICER frameworks. Sensitivity analyses were conducted. Results Drugs were ranked similarly by the four frameworks, with Kendall's W of 0.703 ( P = 0.006) across all the four frameworks. Pairwise, Kendall's W was the highest for ESMO-ICER ( W = 0.974; P = 0.007) and ASCO-NCCN ( W = 0.944; P = 0.022) and the lowest for ICER-NCCN ( W = 0.647; P = 0.315) and ESMO-NCCN ( W = 0.611; P = 0.360). Intraclass correlation coefficients (confidence interval CI) for the ASCO, ESMO, and ICER frameworks were 0.786 (95% CI 0.517–0.970), 0.804 (95% CI 0.545–0.973), and 0.281 (95% CI 0.055–0.799), respectively. When scores were rescaled to 0 to 100, the ICER framework provided the narrowest band of scores. Conclusions The ASCO, ESMO, ICER, and NCCN frameworks demonstrated convergent validity, despite differences in conceptual approaches used. The ASCO inter-rater reliability was high, although potentially at the cost of user burden. The ICER inter-rater reliability was poor, possibly because of its failure to distinguish differential value among the sample of drugs tested. Refinements of all frameworks should continue on the basis of further testing and stakeholder feedback.
Abstract Background Controversy exists regarding the need for contrast agents for emergency abdominal computed tomography (CT). Objectives We surveyed United States (US) academic Emergency ...Departments (EDs) to document national practice. We hypothesized variable contrast use for abdominal/pelvic CT, including variance from the American College of Radiology’s (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria® , an evidence-based guideline. Methods A survey was sent to physician leaders of US academic EDs, defined as primary site of an Emergency Medicine residency program. Respondents were asked about their institutions’ use of oral, intravenous (i.v.), and rectal contrast for various abdominal/pelvic CT indications. Responses were compared with the approach given the highest appropriateness rating by the American College of Radiology. Results One hundred and six of 152 (70%) surveys were completed. Intravenous contrast was the most frequently cited contrast. At least 90% of respondents reported using i.v. contrast in 12 of 18 indications. Oral contrast use was more variable. In no indication did ≥90% of respondents indicate use of oral contrast, and in only two indications did ≥90% avoid its use. Rectal contrast was rarely used. The most common indications for which no contrast agent was used were suspected renal colic (79%), viscus perforation (19%), penetrating abdominal trauma (18%), and blunt abdominal trauma (15%). Conclusions Contrast practices for abdominal/pelvic CT vary nationally, according to a survey of US academic EDs. For multiple indications, the contrast practices of a substantial number of respondents deviated from those recommendations given the highest clinical appropriateness rating by the American College of Radiology.
The diagnostic benefits of medical imaging, including CT, must be weighed against the risks of ionizing radiation and communicated effectively to patients. Health care providers requesting and ...performing these examinations have a shared responsibility for this risk-benefit discussion. Effective and balanced communication of these risks requires style as well as content mastery. Fundamentals of communication are similar for all patients, but special attention is needed in the pediatric setting.
Study objective Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used for emergency department (ED) patients with abdominal tenderness. CT-related radiation contributes to 2% of US cancers. We hypothesized ...that in the ED patient with nontraumatic abdominal tenderness, the tender region accurately delineates acute pathology. z axis–restricted CT guided by this region could detect pathology while reducing radiation dose. Methods This was a prospective double-blinded observational trial with informed consent and was institutional review board–approved and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov . A convenience sample of ED patients undergoing abdominal CT was recruited, excluding pregnant women, patients with altered mental status or abdominal sensation, preverbal children, and patients with abdominal trauma or surgery in the previous month. Before standard CT, physicians demarcated the tender region with labels invisible to radiologists on abdominal windows. Radiologists blinded to the tender region recorded cephalad-caudad limits of pathology on CT. Personnel blinded to pathology location recorded label positions on lung windows. Two hypothetical CT strategies were then explored: CT restricted to the tender region and CT from the cephalad skin marker to the lower caudad limit of the usual CT. The percentage of the pathologic region contained within the extent of the 2 hypothetical z axis restricted CTs was calculated. z axis reduction, which is linearly related to radiation reduction, from the restricted CTs was determined. Results One hundred two subjects were enrolled, 93 with complete data for analysis. Fifty-one subjects had acute pathology on CT. CT limited to the tender region would reduce z axis (radiation exposure) by 69% (95% confidence interval CI 60% to 78%). All acute pathology was included within these boundaries in 17 of the 51 abnormal cases (33%; 95% CI 22% to 47%). CT from the cephalad marker through the caudad abdomen and pelvis would reduce z axis (radiation exposure) by 38% (95% CI 29% to 48%). All acute pathology was included within these boundaries in 36 of 51 abnormal cases (71%; 95% CI 57% to 81%). With both strategies 1 and 2, the pathologic region was at least partially included within the CT region in the majority of cases (84% and 92%, respectively). Conclusion CT with z axis restriction based on abdominal tenderness could reduce radiation exposure but with a potentially unacceptably high rate of misdiagnosis, using our current methods. Further prospective study may be warranted to determine the diagnostic utility of partially visualized pathology.
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