November 02, 2016, Washington, DC – The Image Gently Alliance, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pediatric Neurosurgery and allied medical organizations have launched the “Think A-Head” campaign to help providers appropriately obtain and perform computed tomography (CT) scans in children with minor head injuries. The effort will also equip providers and parents with resources to help them communicate effectively when CT scans may (or may not) be the best option to gain proper diagnosis.

The “Think A-Head” campaign provides tools and resources to:

Help providers ensure ordering patterns comply with latest evidence-based medical guidelines

Help providers explain to parents/caregivers why an imaging scan is (or is not) necessary
Help parents ask questions to better inform decision making if their child is prescribed a head CT scan
Help imaging professionals use appropriate exam radiation dose

“This collaboration is a tremendous opportunity to ensure that providers have the latest information on which to base their medical decisions, that parents can take an active, informed role in advocating for their child’s health care, and that children receive the most appropriate care for their medical situation” said Donald Frush, MD, chair of the Image Gently Alliance and Image Gently liaison to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).


Physicians – If kids hurt their heads, help families make informed decisions:

Know when an imaging test is (and is not) necessary
Explain why a head CT scan is (or is not) the right choice
Discuss possible alternative exams
Discuss the benefits as well as the risks of the CT scan
Child-size the CT radiation dose (where necessary)

“Children requiring emergency care have unique needs. Providers must quickly consider the benefit of scans versus the potential risk, the wishes of the parents and severity of injury. This campaign helps us provide more readily available resources to help emergency providers balance and communicate these factors and provide timely and appropriate care,” said Madeline M. Joseph, MD, FACEP, chair of the American College of Emergency Physicians Pediatric Emergency Medicine Committee.


Parents – Be your child’s advocate: Ask these questions if your child is prescribed a head CT scan:

How will this exam improve my child’s care?
What are the benefits and risks of having this test?
What will my child experience before, during and after the exam?

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