title: Factors impacting same-day cancellation of outpatient pediatric magnetic resonance imaging under anesthesia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies of elective surgical procedures indicate that cancellation is common and preventable. Little is known about cancellation of anesthesia-supported elective diagnostic imaging.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the reasons for same-day cancellation of MRI studies performed under sedation or anesthesia and identify patient characteristics associated with cancellations.
  
  
  METHODS
  This case-control study was carried out in a university-affiliated tertiary care children's hospital. Cases were defined as elective outpatient MRI studies booked under anesthesia that were cancelled after the patient had arrived in the radiology department in 2009. Matched controls were identified by selecting the same day and time 1 week before or after the cancelled case. Main outcome measures included demographics, MRI study characteristics, and social and medical factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 111 outpatient anesthesia-supported MRI studies cancelled on the same day as the assessment (cancellation rate: 4.5%), of which 74.6% were related to family and patient factors, while 22% were related to system factors. Cancelled cases involved patients who lived in lower median income quintile neighborhoods compared to controls (2 vs. 3; P = 0.0007; odds ratio [OR] 3.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-12.34). Those who traveled a greater median distance (in kilometers) were less likely to be cancelled (18.8 vs. 27.1, P = 0.0035). Although cancelled patients had a lower mean number of total medical services (2.5 vs. 3.0; P = 0.03; OR = 0.78; 95% CI 0.62-0.98), current medical factors (past 12 months) did not impact cancellations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Same-day cancellations of anesthesia-supported MRI studies are not uncommon, and the main predictor of cancellation seems to be socioeconomic rather than medical.
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Division of Developmental Paediatrics, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Toronto, 150 Kilgour Road, M4G 1R8, Toronto, Canada, andrea.hoffman@hollandbloorview.ca.
authors: Andrea S
authors: AS
authors: Hoffman
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Matlow
authors: Manohar
authors: M
authors: Shroff
authors: Eyal
authors: E
authors: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004467:Economics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012923:Social Class; D014195:Travel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*