TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2013//
TI  - Declining trend in the use of repeat computed tomography for trauma patients admitted to a level I trauma center for traffic-related injuries
JO  - European journal of radiology
A1  - Psoter, Kevin J.
A1  - Roudsari, Bahman S.
A1  - Graves, Janessa M.
A1  - Mack, Christopher
A1  - Jarvik, Jeffrey G.
SP  - 969
EP  - 973
VL  - 82
IS  - 6
N2  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the trend in utilization of repeat (i.e. ≥2) computed tomography (CT) and to compare utilization patterns across body regions for trauma patients admitted to a level I trauma center for traffic-related injuries (TRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We linked the Harborview Medical Center trauma registry (1996-2010) to the billing department data. We extracted the following variables: type and frequency of CTs performed, age, gender, race/ethnicity, insurance status, injury mechanism and severity, length of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and final disposition. TRIs were defined as motor vehicle collisions, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian-related injuries. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between utilization of different body region repeat (i.e. ≥2) CTs and year of admission, adjusting for patient and injury-related characteristics that could influence utilization patterns. RESULTS: A total of 28,431 patients were admitted for TRIs over the study period and 9499 (33%) received repeat CTs. From 1996 to 2010, the proportion of patients receiving repeat CTs decreased by 33%. Relative to 2000 and adjusting for other covariates, patients with TRIs admitted in 2010 had significantly lower odds of undergoing repeat head (OR=0.61; 95% CI: 0.49-0.76), pelvis (OR=0.37; 95% CI: 0.27-0.52), cervical spine (OR=0.23; 95% CI: 0.12-0.43), and maxillofacial CTs (OR=0.24; 95% CI: 0.10-0.57). However, they had higher odds of receiving repeat thoracic CTs (OR=1.86; 95% CI: 1.02-3.38). CONCLUSION: A significant decrease in the utilization of repeat CTs was observed in trauma patients presenting with traffic-related injuries over a 15-year period.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0720-048X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2012.12.007
ID  - ref1
ER  -