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Comparative Study
. 2018 Oct;48(11):1612-1620.
doi: 10.1007/s00247-018-4186-9. Epub 2018 Jul 10.

Implementation of the Amsterdam Pediatric Wrist Rules

Marjolein A M Mulders  1 , Monique M J Walenkamp  2 , Annelie Slaar  3 , Frank Ouwehand  4 , Nico L Sosef  5 , Romuald van Velde  6 , J Carel Goslings  7 , Niels W L Schep  8
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Implementation of the Amsterdam Pediatric Wrist Rules

Marjolein A M Mulders et al. Pediatr Radiol. 2018 Oct.

Abstract

Background: The Amsterdam Pediatric Wrist Rules have been developed and validated to reduce wrist radiographs following wrist trauma in pediatric patients. However, the actual impact should be evaluated in an implementation study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of implementation of the Amsterdam Pediatric Wrist Rules at the emergency department.

Materials and methods: A before-and-after comparative prospective cohort study was conducted, including all consecutive patients aged 3 to 18 years presenting at the emergency department with acute wrist trauma. The primary outcome was the difference in the number of wrist radiographs before and after implementation. Secondary outcomes were the number of clinically relevant missed fractures of the distal forearm, the difference in length of stay at the emergency department and physician compliance with the Amsterdam Pediatric Wrist Rules.

Results: A total of 408 patients were included. The absolute reduction in radiographs was 19% compared to before implementation (chi-square test, P<0.001). Non-fracture patients who were discharged without a wrist radiograph had a 26-min shorter stay at the emergency department compared to patients who received a wrist radiograph (68 min vs. 94 min; Mann-Whitney U test, P=0.004). Eight fractures were missed following the recommendation of the Amsterdam Pediatric Wrist Rules. However, only four of them were clinically relevant.

Conclusion: Implementing the Amsterdam Pediatric Wrist Rules resulted in a significant reduction in wrist radiographs and time spent at the emergency department. The Amsterdam Pediatric Wrist Rules were able to correctly identify 98% of all clinically relevant distal forearm fractures.

Keywords: Adolescents; Children; Decision rule; Distal forearm; Fracture; Radiography; Trauma; Wrist.

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Conflict of interest statement

None

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Amsterdam Pediatric Wrist Rules mobile application: patient demographics and clinical findings
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Amsterdam Pediatric Wrist Rules mobile application: recommendation wrist radiograph or not
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Amsterdam Pediatric Wrist Rules mobile application: physician compliance
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Flow diagram of patient selection
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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