title: Interruptions of Trauma Resuscitations for Radiographic Procedures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although x-ray studies provide important diagnostic information during trauma resuscitations, they may also lead to significant interruptions in care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine the frequency and duration of interruptions for chest x-ray studies (CXR) and pelvic x-ray studies (PXR) and the frequency of lead apron use among providers who exited trauma rooms during resuscitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a convenience sampling method, we conducted a prospective, observational study from August 2013 to March 2014, enrolling adult trauma patients at a Level I trauma center who received CXR and PXR in the first 30 min of evaluation. An observer stood outside resuscitation rooms and recorded the time elapsed from the first provider exiting the room to the last provider returning. We recorded how many exiting providers wore lead aprons and whether unused aprons were available.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 156 trauma cases observed, 67.3% were of male patients with a mean age of 52 years (interquartile range [IQR] 34-67 years); 97.4% (184/189) of radiographs resulted in interruptions of trauma evaluation. Mean and median interruption times were 67 s and 50 s, respectively (IQR 25-95) for CXR; 37 s and 27 s, respectively (IQR 16-43) for PXR; and 160 s and 180 s, respectively (IQR 120-180) for combined CXR/PXR. A mean of 3.5 providers (IQR 3-5) left the immediate bedside and exited the room during x-ray studies. Most (91%) providers leaving the room were not wearing lead aprons, and extra aprons were available in the room 91% (167/184) of the time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiographic procedures often result in interruptions of trauma resuscitations despite the availability of lead aprons.
authors.affiliation: University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California.
authors.forename: Kaoru S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Itakura
authors.affiliation: University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
authors.forename: McKinsey M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Pillsbury
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D011859:Radiography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D014193:Trauma Centers
keywords: chest; imaging; pelvis; radiography; resuscitation; trauma