Table of Contents

Perspectives

  • Perspectives
    Bejoy Thomas

Review Article

Patient Safety

  • Radiation Dose Reduction by Indication-Directed Focused z-Direction Coverage for Neck CT
    A.K. Parikh and C.C. Shah
  • How to Reduce Head CT Orders in Children with Hydrocephalus Using the Lean Six Sigma Methodology: Experience at a Major Quaternary Care Academic Children's Center
    A. Tekes, E.M. Jackson, J. Ogborn, S. Liang, M. Bledsoe, D.J. Durand, G. Jallo and T.A.G.M. Huisman

    The authors describe a Lean Six Sigma project with the goal of reducing the relative use of pediatric head CTs in their population of patients with hydrocephalus by 50% within 6 months. The existing baseline imaging practice for hydrocephalus was outlined in a Kaizen session, and potential interventions were discussed. An improved radiation-free workflow with ultrafast MR imaging was created. Baseline data were collected for 3 months by using the departmental radiology information system and data collection continued postintervention and during the control phase. The improved workflow resulted in a 75% relative reduction in the percentage of hydrocephalus imaging performed by CT between the pre- and postintervention/control phases. The authors conclude that the lean interventions in the pediatric hydrocephalus care pathway resulted in a significant reduction in head CT orders.

Practice Perspectives

Functional Vignette

General Contents

Letters: (Online only)

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