Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department utilization of computed tomography scans of appendicitis and diverticulitis

ConclusionDuring lockdown, significantly fewer patients presented to the ED. The proportion of ordered CT abdominal scans increased significantly per person seen, without change in CTAS scores. Considering combined pathology cases increased during the lockdown, ED physicians were warranted in increasing abdominal imaging as patients did not avoid the ED. This may have resulted from a change in clinical practice where the uncertainty of COVID-19 increased CT scan usage.
Source: Emergency Radiology - Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research