title: Nursing benefits of using an automated injection system for ictal brain single photon emission computed tomography.
abstract: The traditional method of administering radioactive isotopes to pediatric patients undergoing ictal brain single photon emission computed tomography testing has been by manual injections. This method presents certain challenges for nursing, including time requirements and safety risks. This quality improvement project discusses the implementation of an automated injection system for isotope administration and its impact on staffing, safety, and nursing satisfaction. It was conducted in an epilepsy monitoring unit at a large urban pediatric facility. Results of this project showed a decrease in the number of nurses exposed to radiation and improved nursing satisfaction with the use of the automated injection system. In addition, there was a decrease in the number of nursing hours required during ictal brain single photon emission computed tomography testing.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital, Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. geraldine.vonhofen@chp.edu
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vonhofen
authors.forename: Tonya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Evangelista
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lordeon
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000451:nursing*; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000451:nursing*
chemical_list: D011868:Radioisotopes