Computed tomography utilization rates after the placement of a scanner in an emergency department: a single-center experience

Publication Date

2014

Journal Title

Emerg Radiol

Abstract

The convenience of a computed tomography (CT) scanner in the emergency department (ED) may impact utilization rates. Our primary aim was to determine the rate of utilization before and after the placement of an ED CT scanner. Secondary aims were to determine the rate of utilization by anatomic region and during a 5-month period when the ED scanner was unavailable. We performed an electronic chart review of our ED with an annual census of 70,000 patients. We identified all patients over the age of 21 who had a CT scan performed from January 2008 to October 2010. Predetermined data elements were extracted by trained, hypothesis-blinded abstractors. Comparisons overall and within scan subtype were performed using seasonal matching. We found a CT utilization rate of 114 per 1,000 patient visits before and 139 per 1,000 patient visits after the placement of a CT scanner in the ED (p

Volume Number

21

Issue Number

5

Pages

473-8

Document Type

Article

EPub Date

2014/04/15

Status

Faculty

Facility

School of Medicine

Primary Department

Emergency Medicine

PMID

24729074

DOI

10.1007/s10140-014-1217-1

For the public and Northwell Health campuses

Share

COinS