A Practical Approach to Safe and Effective Computerized Tomography for Emergency Department Patients

The use of diagnostic imaging is an essential part of patient assessment and disposition in the ED setting. By dissecting the process and identifying the barriers, Grossman et al propose an approach to computed tomography (CT) scanning that can be done safely, efficiently, and effectively. CT scans are commonly ordered imaging studies for ED patients. According to them, a quality CT scan produces a great deal of information for clinicians to use in the diagnosis, treatment, and ultimate disposition of patients.