Who explicitly requests the ordering of computed tomography for emergency department patients? A multicenter prospective study.

Emergency department (ED) computed tomography (CT) use has increased substantially in recent years, resulting in increased radiation exposure for patients. Few studies have assessed which parties contribute to CT ordering in the ED. The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of CT scans ordered due to explicit requests by various stakeholders in ED patient care. This is a prospective, observational study performed at three university hospital EDs. CT scans ordered during research assistant hours were eligible for inclusion. Attending emergency physicians (EPs) completed standardized data forms to indicate all parties who had explicitly requested that a specific CT be performed. Forms were completed before the CT results were known in order to minimize bias. Data were obtained from 77 EPs regarding 944 CTs. The parties most frequently requesting CTs were attending EPs (82.0 %, 95 % CI 79.4-84.3), resident physicians (28.6 %, 95 % CI 25.8-31.6), consulting physicians (24.4 %, 95 % CI 21.7-27.2), and admitting physicians (3.9 %, 95 % CI 2.9-5.4). In the 168 instances in which the attending EP did not explicitly request the CT, requests most commonly came from consulting physicians (51.2 %, 95 % CI 43.7-58.6), resident physicians in the ED (39.9 %, 95 % CI 32.8-47.4), and admitting physicians (8.9 %, 95 % CI 5.5-14.2). EPs were the sole party requesting CT in 46.2 % of cases while multiple parties were involved in 39.0 %. Patients, families, and radiologists were uncommon sources of such requests. Emergency physicians requested the majority of CTs, though nearly 20 % were actually not desired by them. Admitting, consulting, and resident physicians in the ED were important contributors to CT utilization.

Head computed tomography interpretation in trauma: a primer.

Noncontrast computed tomography (CT) provides important diagnostic information for patients with traumatic brain injury. A systematic approach to image interpretation optimizes detection of pathologic air, fractures, hemorrhagic lesions, brain parenchymal injury, and abnormal cerebrospinal fluid spaces. Bone and brain windows should be reviewed to enhance injury detection. Findings of midline shift and mass effect should be noted as well as findings of increased intracranial pressure such as hydrocephalus and cerebral edema, because these may immediately influence management. Compared with CT, magnetic resonance imaging may provide more sensitive detection of diffuse axonal injury but has no proven improvement in clinical outcomes. This article discusses key CT interpretation skills and reviews important traumatic brain injuries that can be discerned on head CT. It focuses on imaging findings that may deserve immediate surgical intervention. In addition, the article reviews the limits of noncontrast CT and discusses some advanced imaging modalities that may reveal subtle injury patterns not seen with CT scan.

CT utilization: the emergency department perspective.

CT scan utilization in the pediatric emergency department (ED) has dramatically increased in recent years. This likely reflects the improved diagnostic capability of CT, as well as its wider availability. However, the utility of CT is tempered by the high radiation exposure to patients as well as cost. In this review we will consider the magnitude of changes in CT use in the pediatric ED, and we will examine some of the driving forces behind these increases. In addition, we will consider strategies to limit growth in CT scan utilization or even result in reductions in CT use in the future. These strategies include better physician and patient education, application of existing clinical decision rules to reduce CT utilization and development of new rules, technical alterations in CT protocols to reduce per-exam exposures, use of alternative imaging modalities such as US and MRI that do not expose patients to ionizing radiation, and expanded use of clinical observation in place of immediate diagnostic imaging. Reform of liability laws might alleviate another driving force behind high CT utilization rates. Protocols must be designed to maximize patient safety by limiting radiation exposures while preserving rapid and accurate diagnosis of time-sensitive conditions.