title: Does emergency department observation impact the rate of computed tomography in children with minor blunt head trauma?
abstract: Review of recent evidence with translation to practice for the advanced practice nurse (APN) role is presented using a case study module for "The Effect of the Duration of Emergency Department Observation on Computed Tomography Use in Children With Minor Blunt Head Trauma." The study results showed that 49% of the patients were "observed" in the emergency department (ED). Of those "observed" (N = 676) in the ED, the authors found that 20% had a computed tomographic (CT) scan performed. However, "observed" patients did experience a lower rate of CT scan (5%) than "nonobserved" patients. The implications and clinical relevance of these findings for APNs are discussed, highlighting best practice evidence.
authors.affiliation: Makenna David Pediatric Emergency Center, University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, Lexington.
authors.forename: Kari J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Blackburn
authors.forename: Patricia Kunz
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Howard
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D019370:Observation; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*