Lung ultrasound protocol decreases radiation in newborn population without side effects: A quality improvement project / La implementación de un protocolo de ecografía pulmonar disminuye la radiación sin efectos secundarios: proyecto de mejora cualitativa

Objective To reduce radiation exposure in newborns admitted due respiratory distress based on the implementation of lung ultrasound (LUS). Design Quality improvement (QI), prospective, before-after, pilot study. Setting Third level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) level with 25-bed and 1800 deliveries/year. Patients Inclusion criteria were neonates admitted with respiratory distress. Interventions After a theoretical and practical LUS training a new protocol was approved and introduced to the unit were LUS was the first-line image. To study the effect of the intervention we compare two 6-month periods: group 1, with the previous chest X-ray (CXR)-protocol (CXR as the first diagnostic technique) vs. group 2, once LUS-protocol had been implemented. Main variables of interest The main QI measures were the total exposure to radiation. Secondary QI were to evaluate if the LUS protocol modified the clinical evolution as well as the frequency of complications. Results 122 patients were included. The number of CXR was inferior in group 2 (group 1: 2 CXR (IQR 1–3) vs. Group 2: 0 (IQR 0–1), p<0.001), as well as had lower median radiation per baby which received at least one CXR: 56 iGy (IQR 32–90) vs. 30 iGy (IQR 30–32), p<0.001. Respiratory support was similar in both groups, with lower duration of non-invasive mechanical ventilation and oxygen duration the second group (p<0.05). No differences regarding respiratory development complications, length of stay and mortality were found. Conclusions The introduction of LUS protocol in unit decreases the exposure radiation in infants without side effects (AU)

Objetivo Reducir la exposición a la radiación en neonatos ingresados por distrés respiratorio mediante implementación de la ecografía pulmonar (EP). Diseño Estudio piloto, prospectivo, anterior-posterior, mejoría de la calidad. Ámbito Unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatal (UCIN) de tercer nivel con 25 camas y 1800 partos/anuales. Pacientes Criterio de inclusión neonatos con distrés respiratorio. Intervenciones Después de una formación teórico-práctica en EP un nuevo protocolo fue implementado y aprobado siendo la EP la primera técnica de imagen. Para estudiar el efecto de la intervención comparamos dos períodos de 6 meses: grupo 1, con el protocolo de radiografía de tórax (RTX) (RTX primera técnica diagnóstica) vs. grupo 2, una vez implementado el protocolo de EP. Variables de interés La principal variable de interés fue la exposición total a la radiación. Las secundarias fueron la evolución clínica y la frecuencia de complicaciones. Resultados Se incluyeron 122 pacientes. El número de RTX fue inferior en el grupo 2 (grupo 1: 2 RTX [RIQ 1-3] vs. grupo 2: 0 [RIQ 0-1], p<0,001), con una menor dosis de radiación media por cada paciente que recibió al menos una RTX: 56 iGy (RIQ 32-90) vs. 30 iGy (RIQ 30-32), p<0,001. El soporte respiratorio fue similar en ambos grupos, con menor duración de la ventilación no invasiva y oxigenoterapia en el segundo grupo (p< 0,05). No hubo diferencias en el desarrollo de complicaciones respiratorias, días de ingreso o mortalidad. Conclusiones La introducción de un protocolo de EP en una unidad disminuye la exposición a la radiación sin efectos secundarios (AU)

Lung ultrasound protocol decreases radiation in newborn population without side effects: A quality improvement project.

OBJECTIVE: To reduce radiation exposure in newborns admitted due respiratory distress based on the implementation of lung ultrasound (LUS). DESIGN: Quality improvement (QI), prospective, before-after, pilot study. SETTING: Third level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) level with 25-bed and 1800 deliveries/year. PATIENTS: Inclusion criteria were neonates admitted with respiratory distress. INTERVENTIONS: After a theoretical and practical LUS training a new protocol was approved and introduced to the unit were LUS was the first-line image. To study the effect of the intervention we compare two 6-month periods: group 1, with the previous chest X-ray (CXR)-protocol (CXR as the first diagnostic technique) vs. group 2, once LUS-protocol had been implemented. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: The main QI measures were the total exposure to radiation. Secondary QI were to evaluate if the LUS protocol modified the clinical evolution as well as the frequency of complications. RESULTS: 122 patients were included. The number of CXR was inferior in group 2 (group 1: 2 CXR (IQR 1-3) vs. Group 2: 0 (IQR 0-1), p<0.001), as well as had lower median radiation per baby which received at least one CXR: 56 iGy (IQR 32-90) vs. 30 iGy (IQR 30-32), p<0.001. Respiratory support was similar in both groups, with lower duration of non-invasive mechanical ventilation and oxygen duration the second group (p<0.05). No differences regarding respiratory development complications, length of stay and mortality were found. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of LUS protocol in unit decreases the exposure radiation in infants without side effects.