The number of emergency department visits that involved a computed tomography examination increased from 2.7 million to 16.2 million between 1995 and 2007, according to a study published in the Jan. 2011 issue of Radiology.
The increase constitutes a 16 percent increase per year, or a 5.9-fold increase overall. Researchers analyzed data from the 1995-2007 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to evaluate CT in about 30,044 ED visits per year.
The study found CT was used more often among older patients, white patients, patients who were admitted to the hospital, as well as at facilities in urban areas. The most common reasons for CT use were abdominal pain, headache or chest pain.
Read the abstract of the study in the Jan. 2011 issue of Radiology.
Read more on CT:
-CMS Issues Proposed Rule on Changes to Stark In-Office Ancillary Exception
-HHS Adds Hospital Outpatient and ED Quality Data to Public Websites
-15 Hospitals With Great Cardiovascular Programs
The increase constitutes a 16 percent increase per year, or a 5.9-fold increase overall. Researchers analyzed data from the 1995-2007 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to evaluate CT in about 30,044 ED visits per year.
The study found CT was used more often among older patients, white patients, patients who were admitted to the hospital, as well as at facilities in urban areas. The most common reasons for CT use were abdominal pain, headache or chest pain.
Read the abstract of the study in the Jan. 2011 issue of Radiology.
Read more on CT:
-CMS Issues Proposed Rule on Changes to Stark In-Office Ancillary Exception
-HHS Adds Hospital Outpatient and ED Quality Data to Public Websites
-15 Hospitals With Great Cardiovascular Programs