Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on CT scans ordered from the emergency department for abdominal complaints.
April M GriffithPatrick OckerseAkram ShaabanChristopher KellyPublished in: Emergency radiology (2021)
During the COVID-19 pandemic in a region undergoing non-surge conditions, we found increased rates of positive CT scans performed from the ED for abdominal complaints with an increased percentage of hospital admissions compared to a control year. No differences in ICU admissions or rates of procedural intervention were found to suggest higher acuity of pathology on presentation. Our findings suggest appropriately decreased healthcare utilization in our study period, driven by pre-hospital patient self-selection.
Keyphrases
- emergency department
- computed tomography
- dual energy
- contrast enhanced
- healthcare
- image quality
- case report
- positron emission tomography
- magnetic resonance imaging
- randomized controlled trial
- intensive care unit
- adverse drug
- mechanical ventilation
- acute care
- health insurance
- electronic health record
- affordable care act
- drug induced