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Updated: Mar 30, 2026
Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Skeletal Muscle Disease
Published on: December 18, 2016
Improved Magnetic Resonance Imaging Utilization for Children with Musculoskeletal Infection
Andrew J Mueller1, Jeannie K Kwon2, Jeffrey W Steiner2
1University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75239.
Background:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with sedation is an important resource used to evaluate children with musculoskeletal infection. This study assesses the impact of multidisciplinary guidelines and continuous process improvement on MRI utilization at a tertiary pediatric medical center.
Methods:
A multidisciplinary team developed a guideline for MRI with sedation, and it was implemented at our institution. Scan duration, anatomic regions imaged, sequences performed, timing of surgical intervention, length of hospital stay, and readmissions for these children were compared with these measures among a cohort of similar children who had been treated prior to guideline implementation. Comparative data were gathered for the subsequent cohort to determine any impact of the continued process improvement program on MRI utilization. Statistical comparison was performed to determine significant differences between groups.
Results:
Children evaluated prior to the guideline implementation had 9.0 MRI sequences per scan, an MRI scan duration of 111.6 minutes, and a hospital stay of 7.5 days. In comparison, children in the initial MRI guideline cohort had 7.5 sequences per scan, a scan duration of 76.1 minutes, and a hospital stay of 5.4 days. Children in the subsequent guideline cohort had 6.5 sequences per scan, a scan duration of 56.3 minutes, and a hospital stay of 5.0 days. The rate of immediate surgical procedure under continued anesthesia was 16.7% prior to the guideline, 50.5% among children in the initial guideline cohort, and 64% among children in the subsequent guideline cohort. Differences between cohorts were significant (p < 0.0001). In aggregate, 264 hours of MRI scan time and 809 hospital bed-days were conserved for more than thirty months.
Conclusions:
This initiative promoted improvement in diagnostic efficiency, therapeutic consistency, and patient safety for children with musculoskeletal infection.
Clinical Relevance:
The findings of this study illustrate the beneficial impact of interdisciplinary coordination of care on clinical outcomes for children with musculoskeletal infection. Tangible improvements occurred for both length of stay and resource utilization.
Insights
Multidisciplinary guidelines and process improvement significantly reduced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan times and hospital stays for children with musculoskeletal infections. This enhanced diagnostic efficiency and patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric radiology
- Musculoskeletal infections
- Healthcare process improvement
Background:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with sedation is crucial for diagnosing pediatric musculoskeletal infections.
- Optimizing MRI utilization is essential in pediatric tertiary care settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of multidisciplinary guidelines and continuous process improvement on MRI utilization for pediatric musculoskeletal infections.
- To evaluate changes in scan duration, resource use, and clinical outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A multidisciplinary team developed and implemented MRI sedation guidelines.
- Key metrics including scan duration, sequences, hospital stay, and surgical timing were compared pre- and post-guideline implementation.
- Continuous process improvement data were analyzed for a subsequent cohort.
Main Results:
- MRI scan duration decreased from 111.6 to 56.3 minutes, and hospital stay reduced from 7.5 to 5.0 days.
- The number of MRI sequences per scan decreased from 9.0 to 6.5.
- Significant improvements in diagnostic efficiency, therapeutic consistency, and patient safety were observed (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Multidisciplinary guidelines and process improvement initiatives enhance diagnostic efficiency and patient safety for pediatric musculoskeletal infections.
- Interdisciplinary care coordination leads to tangible improvements in length of stay and resource utilization.
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Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...