Point-of-Care Ultrasound Scientific and Case Reports Session 5
Ultrasound Utilization in High Versus Low Volume Emergency Departments
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
8:18am – 8:25am
Location: 410
Authors: Karalee Bluhm, Rutgers RWJBH CMC Greg neyman, Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health Community Medical Center Jeffrey Greco, RWJ/Rutgers Health Community Medical Center
Although chart reviews have previously evidenced large numbers of transfers from rural facilities due to lack of imaging availability, our study has been the first to quantify the difference in utilization of ultrasound in high versus low volume hospitals. Our results showed a significant decrease of ultrasounds performed at low volume hospitals for the same complaints as compared to higher volume hospitals for all 12 most commonly ordered studies with a percentage difference ranging from 5.3% to 28.6% discrepancy. We were also able to show a marked difference in ultrasound utilization on weekends, presumable due to less formal ultrasound availability both in high and low volume hospitals. Our data ultimately identified the most commonly performed ultrasounds and which common complaints most often received ultrasounds and the highest impact ultrasound exams ordered in the emergency department. This information is vital groundwork for establishing the highest yielding POCUS exams necessary for clinicians in lower volume emergency departments.