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.

Prophylactic versus symptomatic Ladd procedures for pediatric malrotation.

Background: Intestinal malrotation can lead to volvulus resulting in necrosis, sepsis, and death. For symptomatic patients, treatment includes the Ladd procedure. However, debate remains regarding the timing and need for intervention for asymptomatic infants.

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.