Here is a quick look at an article published in the December issue of Annals of Emergency Medicine. Visit www.annemergmed.com to read the full text.

Computed Tomography Utilization in the Adult Emergency Department of an Academic Urban Hospital From 2001 to 2007

By J Lee, et al.

Editor’s Capsule Summary

• What is already known on this topic: The use of CT imaging in the emergency department has increased in the past few years, but the increase for specific types of imaging has not been well described.
• What question this study addressed: The authors determined local utilization rates for CT imaging of the face, head, neck, chest, and abdomen-pelvis for the years 2001-2007.
• What this study adds to our knowledge: In this single, urban, academic ED, CT utilization increased steadily from 51/1,000 visits to 106/1,000 visits over the study period (approximately 10 CTs per 1,000 visits per year). Increases were found in all types of imaging, with the greatest increases in chest and neck imaging.
• How this is relevant to clinical practice: Understanding CT utilization does not directly impact current practice, but the information may guide future imaging strategies.