Objective:

To examine the association between pediatric capability and imaging utilization, with a specific focus on racial and ethnic disparities and insurance status in pediatric patients.

Approach:

• : This study utilized a cross-sectional design, analyzing data from hospitals and emergency departments that provide pediatric imaging services. The analysis included demographic information on pediatric patients, such as race, ethnicity, and insurance status, alongside institutional characteristics like the presence of a Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC) and pediatric readiness scores. Statistical methods were employed to assess the relationship between these factors and imaging utilization rates, allowing for the identification of disparities in care.

Key Findings:

• Non-Hispanic White patients were more likely to receive imaging compared to non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic patients, highlighting significant disparities.
• Hospitals with higher percentages of minoritized patients exhibited larger disparities in imaging utilization, indicating a need for targeted interventions.
• The presence of a PECC and higher pediatric readiness scores were associated with improved imaging practices, suggesting their importance in addressing disparities.

Interpretation:

Pediatric readiness interventions, such as the presence of a PECC, may help reduce disparities in imaging utilization among different racial and ethnic groups, promoting equity in pediatric care.

Limitations:

• The study relied on secondary data, which may have inherent biases, including potential inaccuracies in coding and reporting.
• Potential confounding factors, such as socioeconomic status and access to care, were not fully accounted for in the analysis, which may affect the results.

Conclusion:

Enhancing pediatric readiness in emergency departments could improve equity in imaging utilization among pediatric patients.