Reduction in unnecessary CT scans for head-injury in the emergency department using an FDA cleared device

Emergency Department (ED) visits for mild Traumatic Head Injury (mTBI) have greatly increased due to more awareness of potential consequences of such injuries [1]. While the vast majority (>80%) of mTBI patients who go to the ED receive a head CT scan,>90% of them are found to be negative [2]. This practice unnecessarily exposes these patients to radiation, increases the use of ED resources, and lengthens throughput times [3]. The integration of reliable, objective predictors of intracranial injury for making important initial assessment decisions [4] can impact significantly on this practice.

Source: The American Journal of Emergency Medicine - April 23, 2019 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Rosanne Naunheim, Monique Konstantinovic Koscso, Robert Poirier Source Type: research