Do no harm: Pediatrician calls for safely cutting back on tests, treatments

(American Academy of Pediatrics) When parents take a sick or injured child to the doctor or emergency room, they often expect tests to be done and treatments given. So if the physician sends them on their way with the reassurance that their child will get better in a few days, they might ask: 'Shouldn't you do a CT scan?' or 'Can you prescribe an antibiotic?' But many medication interventions done 'just to be safe' not only are unnecessary and costly but they also can harm patients.