A Standardized Protocol for Cervical Spine Evaluation in Children Reduces Imaging Utilization: A Pilot Study of the Pediatric Cervical Spine Clearance Working Group Protocol.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cervical spine injuries (CSI) have the potential to cause severe morbidity in children. Multiple imaging studies are used during evaluation of CSIs but come at a cost, both financially and in radiation exposure. To reduce resource utilization and radiation exposure, we implemented the Pediatric Cervical Spine Clearance Working Group (PCSCWG) standardized protocol (SP) for evaluating CSIs in children. METHODS: Children below 18 years old presenting with concern for CSI at a level 1 pediatric trauma center were reviewed before (July 2015 to May 2016) and after (November 2017 to June 2018) protocol implementation. Demographics, injuries, and imaging utilization were extracted. The primary outcomes were the proportion of patients cleared with clinical exam, and the proportion undergoing x-ray, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance image. The secondary outcome was the estimated difference in imaging charges based on the annual reduction in radiographic studies. RESULTS: During the study 359 children were evaluated for CSIs (248 pre-SP, 111 post-SP). Patients were similar with respect to age, injury severity score, and mechanism of injury. Protocol adherence was 87.4%. The prevalence of CSI was similar in the preprotocol and postprotocol cohorts (2.8% vs. 1.8%, P=0.567). Children treated after protocol implementation were significantly more likely to be cleared by clinical exam (15.3% vs. 43.2%, P<0.001). Significantly fewer children had x-rays (70.2% vs. 55.0%, P=0.005) and computed tomography scans (14.5% vs. 5.4%, P=0.013) in the postprotocol period. There was no difference in the utilization of magnetic resonance image (6.9% vs. 7.2%, P=0.904) or the proportion of children discharged with a cervical collar (10.1% vs. 12.6%, P=0.476). No patients in either group were found to have a previously undiagnosed injury at follow-up. The reduction in radiographic studies translates to an estimated annual reduction in imaging charges of $396,476. CONCLUSIONS: The PCSCWG protocol for evaluating CSIs reduced the number of radiographic studies performed and estimated imaging charges while reliably identifying CSIs.