[Transferability of trial results into clinical practice: examples taken from paediatric practice].
Since 2000 there has been sufficient evidence that chest X-rays are unnecessary in infants and children with uncomplicated lower respiratory tract infection. The reason is that neither the diagnosis nor the first therapeutic decisions will be influenced by the result of this procedure, and especially so if children have been infected with the respiratory syncytial virus. However, epidemiological studies in Germany reveal an ongoing use of chest X-ray in these cases. This might suggest that the X-ray images are taken as "proof" of pneumonia, which indeed pays off in the German DRG (Diagnosis Related Groups) system since hospitals receive a higher reimbursement for RSV pneumonia than for RSV bronchiolitis.
Forster
Johannes
J
St. Josefskrankenhaus (Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus) und Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. Johannes.Forster@rkk-sjk.de
D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging