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Choosing Wisely Infectious Diseases

Respiratory viral panels

Just because you can test for dozens of viruses with a single swab should you? Is this actually measuring a current infection, or a recent virus from which the child has since recovered. And what about the cost? Are these tests expensive (spoiler alert: They are!). Learn about the situations when we should get these […]

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Choosing Wisely

Constipation: Diagnosis, X-Rays, and more

Where else is the poop going to be? Constipation is by and large a clinical diagnosis. This episode reviews how to make the diagnosis, red flags, and why X-Rays don’t necessarily help assess stool burden adequately in most children. This podcast episode is designed to disseminate the important work of Choosing Wisely, an initiative of the […]

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Choosing Wisely Neurology

Do we need labs or a head CT after simple febrile or unprovoked seizures?

Labs or CT scans are not necessary to provide additional diagnostic information or reassurance for most children who recover completely following simple febrile seizures or unprovoked first time generalized seizures. The rate of abnormalities on these studies is very low, and the cost and downsides are too high to justify ordering them on a regular […]

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Choosing Wisely Psychiatry

Do we need labs to medically clear a patient for psych admission?

For most children requiring admission to an inpatient psychiatric facility laboratory studies are generally not required. Many of the children and adolescents being admitted already have an established mental or behavioral diagnosis, and a reassuring history and exam. The heterogeneity of clinical settings makes it challenging to establish processes that account for the needs of […]

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Choosing Wisely Radiology Respiratory

Do children with bronchiolitis, croup, asthma, or first-time wheezing need a Chest X-Ray?

For most children with children with bronchiolitis, croup, asthma, or first-time wheezing chest X-Rays are not necessary. These X-Rays are often obtained due to the possibility of missing pneumonia. But, these radiographs are hard to interpret, increase length of stay and the cost of care, and expose children to excess radiation. This podcast episode is […]