Patterns in computed tomography utilization among emergency physicians in an urban, academic emergency department.

We sought to determine if CT utilization rates varied by characteristics of the physician. A chart review was performed at an urban academic emergency department (ED) to identify all the CT scans ordered and patients seen for subjects 21 years of age and older by physicians between January 2001 and December 2008. "Years of experience" was defined as years of practice after residency.

Computed tomography utilization rates after the placement of a scanner in an emergency department: a single-center experience.

The convenience of a computed tomography (CT) scanner in the emergency department (ED) may impact utilization rates. Our primary aim was to determine the rate of utilization before and after the placement of an ED CT scanner. Secondary aims were to determine the rate of utilization by anatomic region and during a 5-month period when the ED scanner was unavailable.

Radiation exposure among patients with the highest CT scan utilization in the emergency department.

The risk of cancer from computed tomography (CT) scan radiation is a rising concern in the medical field. Our objectives were to determine how many patients received more than ten CT scans in an academic emergency department (ED) over the course of 7 years and to quantify their radiation exposure and lifetime attributable risk of cancer. An electronic chart review was performed at our urban academic institution with an annual census of 110,000 patients.

Yield of head CT in the alcohol-intoxicated patient in the emergency department.

We aimed to determine the yield of positive head computed tomography (CT) findings among suspected alcohol-intoxicated patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Our secondary aim was to determine if elderly intoxicated patients were more likely to have an intracranial injury. We identified patients suspected of alcohol intoxication who underwent CT scanning in the ED over a 4-year period.