Increased per-patient imaging utilization in an emergency department setting during COVID-19.
Clin Imaging
; 80: 77-82, 2021 Dec.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34274685
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
COVID-19 has resulted in decreases in absolute imaging volumes, however imaging utilization on a per-patient basis has not been reported. Here we compare per-patient imaging utilization, characterized by imaging studies and work relative value units (wRVUs), in an emergency department (ED) during a COVID-19 surge to the same period in 2019.METHODS:
This retrospective study included patients presenting to the ED from April 1-May 1, 2020 and 2019. Patients were stratified into three primary subgroups all patients (n = 9580, n = 5686), patients presenting with respiratory complaints (n = 1373, n = 2193), and patients presenting without respiratory complaints (n = 8207, n = 3493). The primary outcome was imaging studies/patient and wRVU/patient. Secondary analysis was by disposition and COVID status. Comparisons were via the Wilcoxon rank-sum or Chi-squared tests.RESULTS:
The total patients, imaging exams, and wRVUs during the 2020 and 2019 periods were 5686 and 9580 (-41%), 6624 and 8765 (-24%), and 4988 and 7818 (-36%), respectively, and the percentage patients receiving any imaging was 67% and 51%, respectively (p < .0001). In 2020 there was a 170% relative increase in patients presenting with respiratory complaints. In 2020, patients without respiratory complaints generated 24% more wRVU/patient (p < .0001) and 33% more studies/patient (p < .0001), highlighted by 38% more CTs/patient.CONCLUSION:
We report increased per-patient imaging utilization in an emergency department during COVID-19, particularly in patients without respiratory complaints.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Servicio de Urgencia en Hospital
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudio:
Observational_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Clin Imaging
Asunto de la revista:
DIAGNOSTICO POR IMAGEM
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article