Ultrasound Associated with Shorter Length of Stay than Computed Tomography Among Emergency Department Patients with Renal Colic
ePoster
Authors: Hiromi Terai, University of Connecticut School of Medicine Emily Orosco, University of Connecticut Drew Beaubian, University of Connecticut Riley Baker, University of Connecticut School of Medicine Aren Watt, UConn School of Medicine Cade Friedman, University of Connecticut School of Medicine Seth Lotterman, Hartford Hospital Meghan Herbst, University of Connecticut School of Medicine
To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare LOS for PoCUS versus CT in patients with a diagnosis of renal colic or equivalent in the United States. ED wait times have been on the rise over the past several years secondary to an increase in patient volumes, a lower threshold to order radiology imaging, and higher patient acuity levels. Our study demonstrated that patients with renal colic who received PoCUS alone had a shorter ED LOS by over an hour without any difference in missed pathology, return visits, or infection rates, compared with patients who received CT imaging. With this in mind, increasing the utilization of PoCUS for the diagnosis of renal colic has the potential to improve patient turnover, reduce ED wait times, and increase patient satisfaction. Our results support an “ultrasound first” approach among patients presenting to the ED with suspected renal colic.