medical imaging receives accreditation, patient safety number one priority

Dayton Children's 64-slice CT scanner at the main campus has received accreditation for the next three years from the American College of Radiology. 

"In 2006, about four million CT scans were performed in children, triple the number of scans in 2001. Locally, Dayton Children's performs over 7,000 scans each year. 

"CT scans help us save children's lives, but they should only be performed when necessary," Dr. Ey says. 

Alternative imaging to CT scanning, like ultrasound and magnetic resonance (MRI), should be considered whenever possible. 

Dr. Ey says children are typically smaller than adults, so they don't need as much radiation to penetrate the body. 

The pediatric radiologists at Dayton Children's were recently praised by the Ohio Department of Health for individualizing each CT examination to account for the child's weight and size, ensuring the child receives the minimum radiation needed to complete the procedure. 

"Radiation safety has always been a priority for us," Dr. Ey says. 

In addition, Dayton Children's medical imaging department recently began using bismuth shields to protect the thyroid, breasts and eyes in addition to the lead shielding techniques which were already being used. In many cases, the bismuth shields can be left in place during the scan without interfering with the view on the scanned image. 

Because children have many more years than adults to experience the effects of radiation exposure, it's especially important to reduce the amount of radiation they receive through CT scans during their childhood. 

According to Dr. Ey, "It takes about 10 to 20 years for radiation change to cause effects in patients. As the use of CT imaging is increasing, so is the risk for later carcinogenic effects of radiation on sensitive tissue, including the female breasts. Studies have shown that infants and children are as much as 10 times more susceptible to developing cancer from radiation than adults." 

Dayton Children's continues its ongoing efforts to provide the lowest radiation dose possible. 

Dayton Children's now offers basic imaging services such as x-rays to adults at Dayton Children's community testing centers in Beavercreek, Kettering, Springboro, Vandalia and Warren County. 

Dayton Children's Outpatient Testing Center - Beavercreek 

• Located off Dayton-Xenia Road in The Midtown Shoppes
• Medical imaging services: x-ray, ultrasound, echocardiograms and EKG testing
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; Saturday, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm; closed Sunday

Dayton Children's Outpatient Testing Center - Kettering 

• Located off Far Hills Avenue in The Arbor shopping plaza
• Medical imaging services: x-ray and EKG testing
  Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; Saturday, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm; closed Sunday

Dayton Children's Outpatient Care Center - Springboro 

• Located off Route 741 at 3333 West Tech Road
• Medical imaging services: CT scanning, x-ray, ultrasound, EKG testing and fluoroscopy
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 9:00 pm; Saturday, 8:30 am to 7:00 pm; Sunday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Dayton Children's Outpatient Testing Center - Vandalia 

• Located off the Northwoods Boulevard exit off I-75
• Medical imaging services: x-ray, ultrasound, echocardiograms and EKG testing
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; Saturday, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm; closed Sunday

Dayton Children's Specialty Care Center - Warren County 

• Located near Atrium Medical Center on the Premier Health Campus in Middletown
• Medical imaging services: x-ray, ultrasound, echocardiograms and EKG testing
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; Saturday, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm; closed Sunday

About medical imaging at Dayton Children's:
The department of medical imaging at Dayton Children's offers a full spectrum of diagnostic imaging for pediatric patients. The pediatric specialists are trained in working with infants, children and teenagers, and personnel are highly skilled in sedating infants and young children. The radiology department has state-of-the-art equipment designed to perform diagnostic examinations with a minimum of radiation exposure to patients. An onsite MRI is available, offering the highest quality images with child-friendly features. A parent can be with their child while he or she is being scanned and children are encouraged to bring their own music or stories to be played on the specially designed sound system. Appointments are available to meet most family's needs.

For more information, contact: 
Marketing Communications Department 
Phone: 937-641-3666 
marketing@childrensdayton.org