Diagnostic imaging trends in the emergency department: an extensive single-center experience

Abstract

Background Emergency Department imaging volume has increased significantly in North America and Asia. Purpose To assess Emergency Department imaging trends in a European center. Material and Methods The institutional radiological information system was queried for all computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance (MR) studies performed for the Emergency Department during 2002–2017. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses were used to assess overall study rates and temporal trends in overall and after-hours imaging after adjusting for patient visitations. Results CT use increased significantly from 38/1000 visits to 108/1000 at the end of the observation by 5.5 new exams per 1000 visits/year ( P < 0.0001). US use increased gradually at a rate of 1.2/1000 per year during 2002–2008 with an accelerated annual increase of 6.4/1000 in 2009–2011 ( P < 0.0001) raising US rates from 7/1000 to 28/1000 visits per year with stable rates from 2012 onwards. After on-site MR became available in 2004, its use increased from 0.3/1000 to 7/1000 at a rate of 1.9/1000 visits per year in 2005–2009 ( P < 0.0001) and remained stable from 2010. While there was a significant increase in after-hours imaging, growth remained proportional to the overall trend in the use of CT, MR, and night-time CT with the exception of a slight decrease in after-hour US in favor of standard working hours ( P < 0.0001). Conclusion All modalities increased significantly in volume adjusted usage. US and MR rates have been stable since 2012 and 2010, respectively, after periods of increase while CT use continues to increase. Demand for after-hours imaging was mostly proportional to the overall trend.

Temporal trends in ultrasound utilisation in the radiology department of a tertiary hospital

“…Studies to date have either analysed trends in the use of a specific imaging modality in the investigation of a single clinical symptom, assessed trends in the general use of imaging for evaluation of a single clinical symptom or organ system or documented changes in the role of imaging in a clinical environment. 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 Furthermore, although a Medline search of the role of ultrasound in clinical practice revealed more than 10 000 articles, these focused on the impact of sonography in a specific clinical setting. There has been no analysis of the evolving pattern of ultrasound in service delivery, given the technological advances and changing roles of other imaging modalities.…”

Klug entscheiden – Perspektiven: Was sind die entscheidenden Ansätze (Key Questions) für die Zukunft?

“…Die häufigsten Indikationen für eine CT waren Bauch-(12,8 %), Kopf-(7,5 %) und Thoraxschmerzen (4,7 %). Während der Einsatz von Sonografie und MRT in der Notaufnahme eines großen Krankenhauses im Zeitraum von 2012 bis 2017 stagnierte, stieg der von CT-Untersuchungen kontinuierlich weiter an [16]. Es stellt sich die Frage, ob diese Häufigkeit von CT-Untersuchungen gerechtfertigt ist, zumal die CT-Diagnostik mit einem nicht zu vernachlässigenden Krebsrisiko aufgrund der Strahlenbelastung assoziiert ist [17].…”

Evaluation of Complete Blood Counts Parameters of Occupational Radiation and Non-Radiation Professionals from Three Teaching Hospitals in South-South Nigeria

“…The occupational radiations effects are usually as a result of short time exposure to high doses of ionizing radiations above the occupational exposure limit (International Atomic Energy cited by Chinangwa et al (3) and Zare and Mortazari (1) . The exposure of radiation workers to ionizing radiations, especially in medical field has increased due to the use of advance technological equipment in the diagnostic radiology and radiotherapy departments (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10) . According to UNSCEAR (6) .…”