Time Tracking of Standard Ultrasound Examinations in Pediatric Hospitals and Pediatric Medical Practices - A Multicenter Study by the Pediatric Section of the German Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM)

Regensburger A, Knieling F, Feldkamp A, Rascher W, Diesch K, Wölfle J, Prokosch HU, Jüngert JM (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Ultraschall in der Medizin Georg Thieme Verlag

DOI: 10.1055/a-1023-4024

Abstract

PURPOSE:  Ultrasonography is the primary imaging modality in pediatrics but still lacks sufficient reimbursement in Germany. In this multicenter study, national data for the duration of standard ultrasound in pediatrics were systematically documented in order to specify the actual time required. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  N = 10 hospitals (N = 5 university hospitals, N = 5 non-university hospitals) and N = 3 medical practices in Germany recorded the entire process of an ultrasound examination in a special protocol developed by the Pediatric Section of the DEGUM. The duration of each of seven single steps during ultrasonography (from data input to final discussion of the results) of different organ systems was logged. RESULTS:  In total, N = 2118 examinations from different organ systems were recorded. N = 10 organ systems were examined frequently (> 30 times). The total duration of an ultrasound examination was statistically significantly longer in hospitals compared to medical practices (median (IQR) 27 min. (18-38) vs. 12 min. (9-17), p < 0.001). The "hands-on" patient time was approximately one half of the total required time in both settings (49.9 % vs. 48.9 %). Ultrasonography of the abdomen and brain lasted longer in university hospitals than in non-university hospitals (p < 0.001, and p = 0.04, respectively). Cooperation and age did not uniformly correlate with the total duration. CONCLUSION:  This study provides novel comprehensive national data for the duration of standardized ultrasound examinations of children and adolescents in Germany. These data are essential for a further evaluation of the economic costs and should support better remuneration in the future.

Authors with CRIS profile

Adrian Regensburger Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Ferdinand Knieling Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Wolfgang Rascher Lehrstuhl für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin Joachim Wölfle Lehrstuhl für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin Hans-Ulrich Prokosch Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Informatik

Additional Organisation(s)

Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Klinische Forschung

Related research project(s)

J089: Multispectral optoacoustic tomography for non invasive characterization of strictures in Crohn’s disease Jan. 1, 2021 - March 31, 2024

Involved external institutions

Sana Kliniken Düsseldorf DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Regensburger, A., Knieling, F., Feldkamp, A., Rascher, W., Diesch, K., Wölfle, J.,... Jüngert, J.M. (2019). Time Tracking of Standard Ultrasound Examinations in Pediatric Hospitals and Pediatric Medical Practices - A Multicenter Study by the Pediatric Section of the German Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM). Ultraschall in der Medizin. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1023-4024

MLA:

Regensburger, Adrian, et al. "Time Tracking of Standard Ultrasound Examinations in Pediatric Hospitals and Pediatric Medical Practices - A Multicenter Study by the Pediatric Section of the German Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM)." Ultraschall in der Medizin (2019).

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