Effects of an MRI Try Without program on patient access.

Creator(s)

Barbra Rudder, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Sara J. Easley, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Amie L. Robinson, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Janelle R. Noel-Macdonnell PhD, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
David B. Nielsen, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2019

Identifier

DOI: 10.1007/s00247-019-04487-1

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pediatric patients are often sedated for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to ensure images are of diagnostic quality. However, access time for MRIs requiring sedation is often long due to high patient volumes and limited sedation resources.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effectiveness of an MRI Try Without sedation program to decrease the wait time for obtaining an MRI while simultaneously ensuring diagnostic-quality images.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on subjects who utilized the MRI Try Without program from April 2014 through June 2015 at a dedicated pediatric institution. Child life specialist preparations and access time (i.e. time from exam ordered to exam completed) were recorded in each patient's electronic medical record. MRI images were evaluated for image quality by a pediatric neuroradiologist.

RESULTS: A total of 134 patients participated in the MRI Try Without program (mean age: 6.9±1.7 years), all of whom received interventions from a child life specialist. The average number of days between when the order was placed and when the MRI was completed using the MRI Try Without program was 15.4±18.5 days, while the third-available appointment for sedation/anesthesia was 46.2 days (standard deviation [SD]±15.7 days). Nearly all patients received a "good" or "very good" image quality determination (87.3%) and only 5 (3.8%) patients were recommended for repeat examination for diagnostic-quality images.

CONCLUSION: Utilization of an MRI Try Without sedation program, with child life specialist interventions, decreased the wait time for obtaining an MRI while still providing diagnostic-quality images.

Journal Title

Pediatric radiology

Volume

49

Issue

13

First Page

1712

Last Page

1717

Keywords

Access; Anesthesia; Child life specialist; Children; Magnetic resonance imaging; Sedation

Recommended Citation

Rudder BS, Easley SJ, Robinson AL, Noel-MacDonnell JR, Nielsen DB. Effects of an MRI Try Without program on patient access. Pediatr Radiol. 2019;49(13):1712-1717. doi:10.1007/s00247-019-04487-1