Evaluating the Use of Computed Tomography for Orthopedic Trauma Patients in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate the necessity of computed tomography (CT) scans requested to examine the spine, extremity, or pelvis of orthopedic trauma patients in the emergency department. Methods We retrospectively screened the medical records of all patients who had a CT scan during their emergency department (ED) evaluation. All data were classified as either child (aged 0-14 years) or adult (aged > 14 years). Results Of the 32, 685 patients examined in the child and adult emergency trauma unit over one year, 1, 664 were recommended for an extremity, pelvis, or spine CT (7.02%). The mean age of the patients was 38.6 years (range 2-94 years). Of these patients, 145 of the computed tomography scans (CTs) (80.1%) in the child group and 1, 108 CTs (74.7%) in adult group were negative. Conclusions The unnecessary use of CT in the emergency department to examine orthopedic trauma patients has drawn attention. Considering the risk of radiation to the patient, it is necessary to develop protocols to determine which emergency department patients should undergo computed tomography.