Inpatient CT and MRI utilization: trends in the academic hospital setting.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine trends in the utilization of inpatient CT and MRI at academic medical centers.

Methods: Surveys requesting inpatient CT volumes, inpatient MRI volumes, discharges excluding newborns, and case-adjusted mix index from 2002 to 2007 were e-mailed to all 123 members of the Society of Chairmen of Academic Radiology Departments. CT and MRI studies per discharge were adjusted using the case mix index (CMI) provided by each hospital to adjust for the differences in patient mix at participating institutions.