Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
11:27

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn

Published on: April 7, 2023

Variability in imaging utilization in U.S. pediatric hospitals

Ryan W Arnold1, Dionne A Graham, Patrice R Melvin

  • 1Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Pediatric Radiology
|February 9, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Medical imaging use and costs vary significantly across pediatric hospitals. This variability persists even after accounting for patient complexity, highlighting potential areas for optimization.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric healthcare research
  • Health services research
  • Medical imaging analysis

Background:

  • Medical imaging use is under scrutiny due to rising healthcare costs and radiation exposure concerns.
  • Significant variability exists in medical imaging utilization and associated costs across pediatric hospitals.
  • Understanding these variations is crucial for optimizing resource allocation and patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare medical imaging utilization and costs across pediatric hospitals.
  • To identify potential determinants of variability in imaging practices.
  • To inform strategies for cost containment and radiation dose reduction.

Main Methods:

  • Data extracted from the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database for inpatient encounters at 40 U.S. children's hospitals.
  • Imaging utilization and costs analyzed by insurance type, region, hospital size, illness severity, length of stay, and imaging type for specific diagnoses.
  • Statistical analysis performed to compare utilization rates and costs, adjusting for case mix index (CMI).

Main Results:

  • Imaging utilization varied more than twofold between the highest and lowest utilizing hospitals.
  • Imaging costs ranged from $154 to $671 per patient.
  • Utilization rates were significantly higher in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) compared to general wards.
  • Case Mix Index (CMI) and length of stay correlated with imaging utilization, but CMI explained only 36% of the variation.

Conclusions:

  • Diagnostic imaging utilization and costs exhibit wide variability in pediatric hospital settings.
  • Further research is needed to understand the drivers of this variability beyond case mix.
  • Potential exists for standardizing imaging protocols to reduce costs and radiation exposure.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Whole-body PET/MRI of Pediatric Patients: The Details That Matter10:02

Whole-body PET/MRI of Pediatric Patients: The Details That Matter

Published on: December 19, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray01:20

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray

The most common cardiovascular diagnostic test is an X-ray. It produces images of the heart, blood vessels, and adjacent structures.
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan01:30

Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan

Description
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...
Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies01:28

Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder (KUB) StudiesKidney, Ureter, and Bladder (KUB) studies are standard diagnostic imaging procedures used to assess the anatomy of the urinary system. They are commonly utilized for patients experiencing abdominal pain or urinary symptoms. By using a simple X-ray of the abdomen, KUB studies can reveal structural and pathological abnormalities within the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. These studies are particularly valuable in diagnosing kidney stones, urinary...
Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography01:22

Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography

IntroductionIntravenous Urography (IVU) and Retrograde Pyelography (RP) are important diagnostic imaging techniques used to evaluate the urinary system. These methods help identify structural abnormalities, obstructions, and functional issues in the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Both procedures use iodine-based contrast media to enhance the visibility of urinary tract structures on X-ray images, though they differ in their methods and indications.1. Intravenous Urography (IVU)Intravenous...
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...