Emergency radiology
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Emergency radiology · Dec 2020
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department CT for suspected diverticulitis.
This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department CT use for acute nontraumatic abdominal pain, to better understand why imaging volume so drastically decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ Reduced emergency abdominopelvic CT volume during the COVID-19 pandemic can partially be explained by decreased imaging of lower acuity patients. This data may help formulate future strategies for imaging resource utilization with an improved understanding of the relationship between perceived imaging risk and symptom acuity.
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Emergency radiology · Dec 2020
Observational StudyImpact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency CT head utilization in Ontario-an observational study of tertiary academic hospitals.
To determine the impact of the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the volume, indications, and results of CT heads performed in the emergency department (ED) at Canadian tertiary academic centers in Ontario. ⋯ The decreased volume of emergency CT heads performed during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant increase in the proportion of cases with acute findings. This could be a result of the pandemic's influence on the health-seeking behavior of patients as well as the decision-making process of ordering clinicians.
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Emergency radiology · Dec 2020
Qualitative and quantitative chest CT parameters as predictors of specific mortality in COVID-19 patients.
To test the association between death and both qualitative and quantitative CT parameters obtained visually and by software in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) early outbreak. ⋯ In COVID-19 patients, qualitative and quantitative chest CT parameters obtained visually or by software are predictors of mortality. Predictive models including CT metrics were better predictors of death in comparison to clinical model.
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The purpose of this study is to elucidate the chest imaging findings of suspected COVID-19 patients presenting to the emergency department and the relationship with their demographics and RT-PCR testing results. ⋯ We found a similar spectrum of thoracic imaging findings in COVID-19 patients as previous studies. The most common demographic were African Americans (76.8%). Furthermore, 97.1% of African Americans were RT-PCR (+) compared to 65.8% of Caucasians. Both CT and CXR can accurately identify COVID-19 pneumonitis in 89.6% of RT-PCR (+) cases, 89.5% of false negatives, and 72.7% of cases with no RT-PCR result.
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Emergency radiology · Oct 2020
Emergency department visits resulting from electric scooter use in a major southeast metropolitan area.
To determine the frequency, characteristics, and resource use related to the emergency department (ED) encounters resulting from electric scooter use in a major metropolitan area. ⋯ ED visits resulting from electric scooter injuries are common and increasing. E-scooter injury patients disproportionately present on evenings and weekends, possibly exacerbating already busy periods in the ED. Healthcare resource needs and availability should be considered when developing policy about electric scooter use and distribution, particularly involving emergency care providers in close proximity to e-scooter distribution centers.