Canadian CT head rule adherence in a rural hospital without in-house computed tomography.

Introduction: We sought to determine the difference between Canadian CT Head Rule (CCHR) indicated imaging rates and actual imaging rates for patients with mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) at a rural emergency department (ED) without in-house computed tomography (CT). In addition, we compared CCHR adherence at a hospital without CT to previous publications from centres with CT to determine if rural populations receive less CT imaging for minor head traumas when indicated by the CCHR.

Methods: This retrospective chart review explored individuals who presented to a rural ED (no in-house CT scanner) with a primary diagnosis of mild head injury or concussion between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021.