Imaging gently? Higher rates of computed tomography imaging for pediatric appendicitis in non-children's hospitals.

Background: Growing concerns regarding radiation exposure in children have led to recommendations to minimize computed tomography imaging for appendicitis. We hypothesized that within a metropolitan hospital system (1 children's hospital and 8 non-children's hospitals), use of preoperative computed tomography is much greater in non-children's hospitals.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients <18 years of age undergoing appendectomy for acute appendicitis from April 2012 to April 2015.

Meaningful use and good catches: More appropriate metrics for checklist effectiveness.

Background: The benefit of utilizing surgical safety checklists has been recently questioned. We evaluated our checklist performance after implementing a program that includes checklist-related good catches.

Methods: Multifaceted interventions aimed at the preincision checklist and 5 prospective audits were conducted from 2011-2015.