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Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2011 | Original research

Effects of a radiation dose reduction strategy for computed tomography in severely injured trauma patients in the emergency department: an observational study

Authors: Soo Hyun Kim, Seung Eun Jung, Sang Hoon Oh, Kyu Nam Park, Chun Song Youn

Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2011

Abstract

Background

Severely injured trauma patients are exposed to clinically significant radiation doses from computed tomography (CT) imaging in the emergency department. Moreover, this radiation exposure is associated with an increased risk of cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine some effects of a radiation dose reduction strategy for CT in severely injured trauma patients in the emergency department.

Methods

We implemented the radiation dose reduction strategy in May 2009. A prospective observational study design was used to collect data from patients who met the inclusion criteria during this one year study (intervention group) from May 2009 to April 2010. The prospective data were compared with data collected retrospectively for one year prior to the implementation of the radiation dose reduction strategy (control group). By comparison of the cumulative effective dose and the number of CT examinations in the two groups, we evaluated effects of a radiation dose reduction strategy. All the patients met the institutional adult trauma team activation criteria. The radiation doses calculated by the CT scanner were converted to effective doses by multiplication by a conversion coefficient.

Results

A total of 118 patients were included in this study. Among them, 33 were admitted before May 2009 (control group), and 85 were admitted after May 2009 (intervention group). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding baseline characteristics, such as injury severity and mortality. Additionally, there was no difference between the two groups in the mean number of total CT examinations per patient (4.8 vs. 4.5, respectively; p = 0.227). However, the mean effective dose of the total CT examinations per patient significantly decreased from 78.71 mSv to 29.50 mSv (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The radiation dose reduction strategy for CT in severely injured trauma patients effectively decreased the cumulative effective dose of the total CT examinations in the emergency department. But not effectively decreased the number of CT examinations.

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Title: Effects of a radiation dose reduction strategy for computed tomography in severely injured trauma patients in the emergency department: an observational study
Authors: Soo Hyun Kim
Seung Eun Jung
Sang Hoon Oh
Kyu Nam Park
Chun Song Youn
Publication date: 01-12-2011
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1757-7241
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-7241-19-67

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Effects of a radiation dose reduction strategy for computed tomography in severely injured trauma patients in the emergency department: an observational study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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