Effect of oral contrast for abdominal computed tomography on emergency department length of stay

Emerg Radiol (2010) 17:267-273

Effect of oral contrast for abdominal computed tomography on emergency department length of stay

Jeremiah D. Schuur , Grant Chu , Andrew Sucov

Abstract

Computed tomography of the abdomen and/or pelvis (CTAP) is frequently used in the emergency department (ED) allowing diagnosis of a variety of conditions, but requiring a prolonged period of preparation. To determine whether not requiring oral contrast for CTAP reduces ED length of stay (LOS). Retrospective cohort of adult patients visiting an academic ED over 13 weeks around a radiology protocol change. Before the change, many CTAPs required oral contrast; thereafter, oral contrast was not required. LOS was compared before and after the change among all adult ED patients. Among patients undergoing CTAP, adjusted LOS and time to CTAP were compared using multivariate linear regression. 20,464 adult ED visits occurred over the study period, including 1,806 where a CTAP was performed. Oral contrast usage decreased from 42.5% of CTAP to 12.2%