Mohammed Bilal Shaikh MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Elaine S. Gould MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kevin S. Baker MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Maryanna Mason MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

William H. Moore MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

As part of a needs assessment to target education on radiation awareness and exposure, we obtained data on mean estimated effective radiation dose in patients admitted through the Emergency Department(ED) and correlated the dose with admitting diagnosis. Our hypothesis was that mean radiation dose would be higher in adults with prolonged length of stay and with a diagnosis requiring more extensive radiologic evaluation and/or follow-up, such as trauma.

Included were 592 patients admitted through the ED with radiology orders during two non-consecutive 2 week periods in 2009. Pediatric was defined as patients under 21 years of age. Patients were categorized into one of seven main admission diagnoses: Cardiopulmonary, Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, Neurologic, Trauma(including traumatic brain injury), Infectious, and Other. Imaging studies included plain radiography, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear. Radiation from imaging performed outside of Radiology (i.e, Cardiac Catheterization, Neurointerventional suite, and the OR) was not included.

There were 517 adult and 75 pediatric patients. The mean estimated effective dose (MEED) for all patients was 16.26 mSv. The MEED was 17.02 and 14.96 mSv for male and female patients and 16.8 and 9.9 mSv for adult and pediatric patients, respectively. The maximum pediatric and adult radiation doses were 225.01 and 162.36 mSv, respectively. The MEED progressively increased with patient admission duration, ultimately peaking at 92.01 mSv in those admitted for greater than 2 months. Most patients were in the cardiopulmonary category (215/36.3%) while the greatest MEED per category was in Trauma (31.86 mSv). This was similar in the pediatric age group, with 16(21%) in the cardiopulmonary category and the greatest MEED (42.8 mSv) in the Trauma group. Statistical analysis (Two-tailed T-test) was significant (P<0.05) for pediatric and adult trauma.

Male patients, patients admitted for trauma, and those admitted for prolonged periods are at risk of receiving an increased radiation dose. Identifying these high risk groups is an important step in targeting education, raising awareness, and reducing unnecessary radiation that may not add to management.

Identifying patients at risk of receiving a relatively large radiation dose is essential in targeting physician education to raise awareness and reduce unnecessary radiation.

Shaikh, M, Gould, E, Baker, K, Mason, M, Moore, W, Evaluation of Estimated Radiation Dose among Patients Admitted through the Emergency Department at a University Hospital to Effectively Target Education.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11002498.html