Referral Guidelines for Imaging Exams: Impact on Exam Relevance and Associated Delays

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

8549 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2013-10-31

Study Completion Date

2014-06-02

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the implementation of referral guidelines for imaging exams requested by the emergency department on exam relevance. The latter is assessed via the rate of suspected diagnoses that are confirmed by the requested exam.

Related Clinical Trials

Explore similar clinical trials based on study characteristics and research focus.

Retrospective Study of CT Scan Indications in Adult Emergency Departments: Are They Justified and Aligned With Official Guidelines

NCT06985914

CT Scan

RECRUITING

Impact of Unenhanced Computed Tomography (CT) in Elderly Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department With Acute Abdominal Pain

NCT02355483

Abdominal Pain

COMPLETED NA

Defining Dosimetric Reference Levels in Computed Tomography Spectral Scanning

NCT07305103

Medical Imaging

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Comparison of Image Quality Between Ultra-low Dose (ULD) and Standard Dose CT Scans in Detecting Traumatic Brain Injury in the Emergency Room

NCT05210855

Closed Head Injury Penetrating Head Injury

COMPLETED NA

Feasibility and Impact of a Decision Rule for Imaging of Emergency Department Patients With Suspected Kidney Stone

NCT01869647

Kidney Stones

COMPLETED NA

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

The secondary objectives of this study are to assess the impact of the implementation of referral guidelines for imaging exams requested by the emergency department on the following:

A. How exam results are classified in relation to the initial, suspected diagnosis.

B. Further aspects of exam relevance.

C. Delays associated with exams

D. Changes in practice in terms of type of examination, clinical situations, the number of tests ordered per patient, and emergency situations

E. Radiation and contrast agent exposures

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Emergency Department Admission Imaging Techniques

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Before guideline implementation

This study population consists of all patients for whom a participating ER doctor requests an imaging exam during the observation period BEFORE the implementation of the referral guidelines.

\[This study is composed of (1) a period of observation for 1 month BEFORE the implementation of the referral guidelines, followed by (2) the implementation of the referral guidelines, then (3) a 5-6 month washout period, and finally (4) a 1 month observational period AFTER the implementation of the referral guidelines.\]

Intervention: Baseline observation

Group Type OTHER

Baseline observation

Intervention Type OTHER

During this period of the study, baseline data will be collected.

After guideline implementation

This study population consists of all patients for whom a participating ER doctor requests an imaging exam during the observation period AFTER the implementation of the referral guideline.

\[This study is composed of (1) a period of observation for 1 month BEFORE the implementation of the referral guidelines, followed by (2) the implementation of the referral guidelines, then (3) a 5-6 month washout period, and finally (4) a 1 month observational period AFTER the implementation of the referral guidelines.\]

Intervention: Implementation of guidelines

Group Type OTHER

Implementation of guidelines

Intervention Type OTHER

The participating ER doctors are required to request imaging exams for their patients according to a guide mutually constructed by the emergency and imaging departments of the Nîmes university hospital.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Implementation of guidelines

The participating ER doctors are required to request imaging exams for their patients according to a guide mutually constructed by the emergency and imaging departments of the Nîmes university hospital.

Intervention Type OTHER

Baseline observation

During this period of the study, baseline data will be collected.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* The patient (or his/her guardian/parent/person-of-trust) was correctly informed about the study
* A participating ER doctor has requested an imaging exam for the patient during one of the trial observation periods (ie the "before" period or the "after" period).