The utility of the abdominal series in the emergency setting: a retrospective review
Dublin Core
Title
The utility of the abdominal series in the emergency setting: a retrospective review
Subject
Abdominal radiology, Emergency radiology, Emergency medicine, Resource utilization
Description
Purpose The abdominal series (AXR) remains a frequently ordered test in the emergency department (ED),
despite existing literature questioning its utility. The aim of this study was to characterize the use of the AXR in the ED
by quantifying how often it is ordered and the frequency of subsequent imaging. Additionally, a time estimate
in ED associated with the AXR was quantified. We hypothesized that there would be a low clinical utility of the AXR,
and long associated time period spent in the ED.
Methods A retrospective audit of AXRs performed in the ED from January to December 2019 was performed.
The local picture archiving and communication system (PACS) and electronic medical record were used to collect
the variables.
Results Of 701 AXRs, 438 (62.4%) were reported normal, and 263 (37.6%) were abnormal. A Chi Squared test
showed that the two variables (abdominal series result and follow up imaging completion) were significantly related,
with p<0.001. However, the effect size was small (Nagelkerke R square=0.022). The average time spent in the ED
for these patients was 7.27 h, and the average time between the AXR being ordered and interpreted was 1.31 h.
Conclusion The majority of AXRs were reported as normal. Our results showed that AXR had a statistically signifi-
cant, but low clinically significant predictive ability on subsequent imaging ordering. This supports our hypothesis
that the AXR is of low clinical utility with respect to the rate of ordering follow up imaging. The AXR also translated
to a quantifiable time interval during the patient’s stay in ED. Minimizing overuse of the AXR may result in a decrease
in patient duration in the ED.
Keywords Abdominal radiology, Emergency radiology, Emergency medicine, Resource utilization
despite existing literature questioning its utility. The aim of this study was to characterize the use of the AXR in the ED
by quantifying how often it is ordered and the frequency of subsequent imaging. Additionally, a time estimate
in ED associated with the AXR was quantified. We hypothesized that there would be a low clinical utility of the AXR,
and long associated time period spent in the ED.
Methods A retrospective audit of AXRs performed in the ED from January to December 2019 was performed.
The local picture archiving and communication system (PACS) and electronic medical record were used to collect
the variables.
Results Of 701 AXRs, 438 (62.4%) were reported normal, and 263 (37.6%) were abnormal. A Chi Squared test
showed that the two variables (abdominal series result and follow up imaging completion) were significantly related,
with p<0.001. However, the effect size was small (Nagelkerke R square=0.022). The average time spent in the ED
for these patients was 7.27 h, and the average time between the AXR being ordered and interpreted was 1.31 h.
Conclusion The majority of AXRs were reported as normal. Our results showed that AXR had a statistically signifi-
cant, but low clinically significant predictive ability on subsequent imaging ordering. This supports our hypothesis
that the AXR is of low clinical utility with respect to the rate of ordering follow up imaging. The AXR also translated
to a quantifiable time interval during the patient’s stay in ED. Minimizing overuse of the AXR may result in a decrease
in patient duration in the ED.
Keywords Abdominal radiology, Emergency radiology, Emergency medicine, Resource utilization
Creator
Sarah Hogan1*, Joshua Ward1 and Eric Sala1
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-023-00580-3
Date
2024
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Sarah Hogan1*, Joshua Ward1 and Eric Sala1, “The utility of the abdominal series in the emergency setting: a retrospective review,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12253.