Results of a virtual multi-institutional program for quality improvement training and project facilitation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this project was to describe the results of this multi-institutional quality improvement (QI) program conducted in a virtual format. METHODS: Developed at Stanford in 2016, the Realizing Improvement through Team Empowerment (RITE) program utilizes a team-based, project-based improvement approach to QI. The program was planned to be replicated at two other institutions through respective onsite programs, but was converted to a multi-institutional virtual format in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual program began in July 2020 and ended in December 2020. The two institutions participated jointly in the cohort, with ten 2-hour training sessions every two weeks for a total of 18 weeks. Project progress was monitored using a predetermined project progress scale by the program manager, who provided more direct project support as needed. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of six teams (37 participants) from two institutions. Each team completed a QI project in subjects including MRI, US, CT, DR and ACR certification. All projects reached levels of between 3.0 (initial test cycles begun with evidence of modest improvement) and 4.0 (performance data meeting goal and statistical process control criteria for improvement), and met graduation criteria for program completion. DISCUSSION: We found the structured problem-solving method, along with timely focused QI education materials via a virtual platform, to be effective in simultaneously facilitating improvement projects from multiple institutions. The combination of two institutions fostered encouragement and shared learning across institutions.

Publication timeline of chest imaging reporting in children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a systematic review spanning 2020.

Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, numerous publications of imaging findings in children have surfaced in a very short time. Publications discuss populations of overlapping age groups and describe different imaging patterns. We aim to present an overview of the quantity and type of literature available regarding COVID-19 chest imaging findings in children according to a 2020 publication timeline. We conducted a systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. We searched terminology related to COVID-19, chest, children and imaging modalities in PubMed and Embase. The included papers were published online in 2020 and described imaging findings specific to children and reported five or more cases. Two researchers reviewed each abstract to determine inclusion or exclusion, and a radiologist reconciled any disagreements. Then we reviewed full articles for the main analysis. Eligible study designs included original articles, case series (≥5 cases), systematic reviews and meta-analyses. We excluded non-English manuscripts, retracted articles, and those without available full text. The remaining articles were distributed to four pediatric radiologists (on the Society for Pediatric Radiology Thoracic Committee), who summarized chest imaging findings. Eighty-two articles were included in the final analysis - 28% in radiology journals and 71% in non-radiology journals; 71% contained original data and 29% were review-style papers. There was a disproportionate contribution of review-style papers in April (55%), considering the paucity of preceding publications with original data in March (5 papers). June had the highest number of publications (n=14), followed by April (n=11) and July (n=11). Most (52%) original papers were from China and most individual pediatric imaging descriptions were from China (57%), while the majority of review papers (83%) were international. Imaging descriptions were available for 2,199 children (1,678 CT descriptions and 780 chest radiography descriptions). Findings included a 25% normal CT scan reports vs. 40% normal chest radiography reports. Ground-glass opacification was the most common CT finding (33%) and was reported in only a minority of chest radiographs (9%). A significant amount of information on pediatric COVID-19 chest imaging has become rapidly available over a short period. Most publications in 2020 were original articles, but they were published more often in non-radiology journals. A disproportionate number of review articles were published early on and were based on little original pediatric imaging data. CT scan reports, which represent the standard, outnumbered radiographic reports and indicated that ground-glass opacification is the main imaging finding and that only a quarter of scans are normal in children with COVID-19.

A primer for pediatric radiologists on infection control in an era of COVID-19.

Pediatric radiology departments across the globe face unique challenges in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic that have not been addressed in professional guidelines. Providing a safe environment for personnel while continuing to deliver optimal care to patients is feasible when abiding by fundamental recommendations. In this article, we review current infection control practices across the multiple pediatric institutions represented on the Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR) Quality and Safety committee. We discuss the routes of infectious transmission and appropriate transmission-based precautions, in addition to exploring strategies to optimize personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies. This work serves as a summary of current evidence-based recommendations for infection control, and current best practices specific to pediatric radiologists.