Post-Op CT Scan Use in Complex Appendicitis

Children are at greater risk than adults at developing cancer after exposure to ionizing radiation. When a child or youth undergoes an appendectomy for complicated appendicitis, they are at risk of developing a surgical site infection (SSI) or deep organ space infection (OSI) after the surgery-often referred to as an abscess. It is not uncommon for a children’s hospital radiology team, specifically interventional radiologists, to drain an abscess using CT guided imaging. This project is aimed at reducing the use of CT scans in favor of imaging modalities recognized as best practice in pediatric patients.

This project was led by Dr. Tamar Levene from Joe DiMaggio Children’s and Dr. Derek Wakeman from Golisano Children’s. The PSQC Implementation Guide on Reducing CT Scan Utilization is attached below. Please contact Ms. Terry Fisher at terry.fisher@uth.tmc.edu with any questions.

Implementation Guide*

Training:

• PSQC Webinar: Post-Op CT Reduction Presentation
  Review Implementation Guide
  Tuesday, May 23
  Presentation Slides*
  Webinar Recording

Resources*:

• IHI Toolkit
• TDF Definitions
• Post-Op CT Utilization Qualitive Interview Guide

*Please contact Terry Fisher for a PDF copy.

Workgroup Members:

Ms. Mary Bolhuis, SCR, Wisconsin Children’s, Milwaukee, WI

Dr. John Chandler, Pediatric Surgeon, Prisma Health Children’s, Greenville, SC

Ms. Cathy Ehster, SCR, Wisconsin Children’s, Milwaukee, WI

Dr. Cindy Gingalewski, Pediatric Surgeon, Randall Children’s, Portland, OR

Dr. Fabienne Gray, Pediatric Surgeon, New Orlaeans Children’s, New Orleans, LA

Dr. Peter Juviler, Resident, Golisano Children’s, Rochester, NY

Dr. Tamar Levene, Pediatric Surgeon, Joe DiMaggio Children’s, Hollywood, FL

Dr. Derek Wakeman, Pediatric Surgeon, Golisano Children’s, Rochester, NY

 

For additional information, please contact the PSQC Program Manager, Terry Fisher, at terry.fisher@uth.tmc.edu.

 

 

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