The Utilization of Ultrasound to Diagnose Pediatric Elbow Fractures: Evaluation of Cost Savings, Radiation Exposure, and Patient Satisfaction
Nemours Children's Clinic
Summary
The goal of this intervention trial is to learn if a ultrasound diagnosis of elbow fractures can improve care in pediatric patients seen in the emergency room. The main questions it aims to answer are: The primary outcomes measured are cost of the emergency visit, radiation exposure, time spent in the emergency department and patient satisfaction. Patients who are evaluated with ultrasounds of the elbow will be compared to patients who have x-rays of the elbow. Participants will be assigned either to the ultrasound group or x-rays group when they present with elbow pain.
Description
The goal of this study is to evaluate whether the use of point-of-care ultrasonography (PoCUS) for elbow trauma evaluation results in less radiation exposure, less cost of treatment and shorter length of stay in Emergency Room (ER) than use of radiography. The study team will use PoCUS to screen for isolated elbow fractures presented to the ER. The researchers will compare cost of treatment both for patients and health care system and length of stay in both the groups. This study will also evaluate whether the use of PoCUS alleviates discomfort to pediatric patients and increases satisfaction…
Eligibility
- Age range
- Up to 18 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: • Pediatric patient with elbow pain Exclusion Criteria: * Polytrauma (more than one injury) * Deformity of the arm including the elbow * Pain in any other location than the elbow * Pain in other parts of the same limb including the, wrist, forearm, shoulder, hand * Pain in other limbs, * Puckering of the skin (skin indentation) * Obvious fracture * Open wound at or around the elbow * Pain and swelling without trauma * Concerns for tumor or infection * Suspected nursemaid's elbow
Interventions
- Diagnostic TestUltrasound of the elbow
An ultrasound of the elbow obtained of pediatric patients with elbow pain
- Diagnostic TestX-ray of elbow
An x-ray of the elbow obtained of pediatric patients with elbow pain
Location
- Nemours Children's HospitalOrlando, Florida