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. 2021 Jul;51(8):1497-1502.
doi: 10.1007/s00247-021-04996-y. Epub 2021 Feb 19.

Imaging sedation and anesthesia practice patterns in pediatric radiology departments - a survey of the Society of Chiefs of Radiology at Children's Hospitals (SCORCH)

Jonathan R Dillman  1 , Michael S Gee  2 , Christopher G Ward  3 , Elizabeth T Drum  3 , Lisa J States  4
Affiliations

Imaging sedation and anesthesia practice patterns in pediatric radiology departments - a survey of the Society of Chiefs of Radiology at Children's Hospitals (SCORCH)

Jonathan R Dillman et al. Pediatr Radiol. 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Background: There are few data describing practice patterns related to the use of sedation/anesthesia for diagnostic imaging in pediatric radiology departments.

Objective: To understand current practice patterns related to imaging with sedation/anesthesia in pediatric radiology departments based on a survey of the Society of Chiefs of Radiology at Children's Hospitals (SCORCH) in conjunction with the American College of Radiology's Pediatric Imaging Sedation and Anesthesia Committee.

Materials and methods: A multi-question survey related to imaging with sedation/anesthesia in pediatric radiology departments was distributed to SCORCH member institutions in January 2019. A single reminder email was sent. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed.

Results: Of the 84 pediatric radiology departments, 23 (27%) completed the survey. Fifty-seven percent of the respondents self-identified as academic/university-affiliated and 13% as a division/section in an adult radiology department. Imaging sedation (excluding general anesthesia) is commonly performed by pediatric anesthesiologists (76%) and intensive care unit physicians (intensivists, 48%); only 14% of departments expect their pediatric radiologists to supervise imaging sedation. Ninety-six percent of departments use child life specialists for patient preparation. Seventy percent of departments have preparatory resources available on a website, including simulation videos (26%) and audio clips (17%). Nearly half (48%) of the departments have a mock scanner to aid in patient preparation. Imaging sedation/anesthesia is most often scheduled at the request of ordering clinicians (65%), while 57% of departments allow schedulers to place patients into imaging sedation/anesthesia slots based on specified criteria.

Conclusion: Imaging sedation/anesthesia practice patterns vary among pediatric radiology departments, and understanding current approaches can help with standardization and practice improvement.

Keywords: Anesthesia; Children; Pediatric radiology; Sedation; Survey.

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