The Utilization of Ultrasound to Diagnose Pediatric Elbow Fractures: Evaluation of Cost Savings, Radiation Exposure, and Patient Satisfaction

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to find out if using ultrasound instead of X-rays can improve care for children with elbow pain seen in the emergency room. It focuses on whether ultrasound can reduce radiation exposure, lower treatment costs, shorten emergency room stays, and increase satisfaction for patients and their families. The study compares two groups of pediatric patients with elbow pain: one group evaluated with ultrasound and the other with standard X-rays. Participants are randomly assigned to have either an ultrasound or an X-ray of the elbow. The ultrasound group will be checked for fractures, hemarthrosis, or lipohemarthrosis using point-of-care ultrasonography. The X-ray group will have standard two-view elbow X-rays to evaluate for fractures and hemarthrosis. Both diagnostic methods are used to assess the elbow injury and guide care. During the emergency visit, researchers will measure patient satisfaction, pain during imaging, length of stay, and cost of treatment. Family satisfaction surveys and patient pain surveys will provide direct feedback, while length of stay and cost serve as indirect measures of comfort and satisfaction. The study tracks these outcomes on the day of the visit to evaluate how ultrasound compares to X-rays for pediatric elbow pain care.

The Utilization of Ultrasound to Diagnose Pediatric Elbow Fractures