Relocating CT scanners closer to ED cuts turnaround times with potential to save lives
Relocating a CT scanner adjacent to the emergency department can significantly shorten imaging turnaround times for patients with suspected acute stroke, according to newly published data.
Published in Clinical Imaging, the retrospective study emphasizes the value of imaging accessibility in time-sensitive emergency care. Its findings suggest that several key stroke imaging workflow metrics—including door-to-CT, page-to-CT, door-to-CT interpretation and page-to-CT interpretation—improve based on the location of the CT scanner.
Every minute saved improves patients’ odds of disability-free survival, experts involved in the new analysis noted.
“In an acute ischemic stroke, every minute of delayed treatment results in the loss of millions of neurons, highlighting the critical importance of acting quickly, often described by the phrase ‘time is brain,'” Shaveta Khosla, PhD, MPH, from the University of Illinois Chicago, and co-authors explained. “Therefore, even a brief delay in the ED can be detrimental, and any delay in imaging post-ED arrival can be a contributor in this delay making rapid imaging crucial in stroke care," they added later.
The retrospective study analyzed 522 cases that involved code stroke and code brain activations at a U.S. academic medical. Data were collected from the center before and after relocating a CT scanner next to the emergency department to compare how the shortened distance would impact stroke-related workflows.
Following the installation, the median door-to-CT time for all patients decreased from 17 minutes to 14, while page-to-CT time fell from 10 minutes to 7. Median door-to-CT interpretation also improved, falling from 31 minutes to 26, and page-to-CT interpretation decreased from 23 minutes to 19. Among patients with acute code stroke activations, door-to-CT time dropped from 16 minutes to 12 and page-to-CT time fell from 9 minutes down to 5.
All improvements were statistically significant. Although the study did not evaluate patient outcomes such as treatment rates or functional recovery, the authors noted that faster imaging could help preserve eligibility for time-sensitive interventions such as thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy.
“The findings of our study support the clinical value of relocating a CT scanner to a location adjacent to the ED by quantifying the extent of impact in critical time metrics,” the group suggested.
Read more from the analysis here.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.