Abdominal Plain X-ray in the Emergency Departement

Abdominal Plain X-ray in the Emergency Departement: Really Usefull?

There are only few recognized indications for the realization of plain abdominal X-rays in the emergency departement.

The objective of this study is to explore the reasons for abdominal plain X-rays prescription in the Emergency departments (EDs) of two hospitals.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Emergencies; Abdomen, Acute; Diagnostic Imaging
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: abdominal plain x-ray

Detailed Description

All abdominal plain x-rays prescription will be reviewed in order to identify reasons for prescribing this exam. The indications will be compared to international guidelines in order to identify whether abdominal plain x-rays are overprescribed. Reasons for overprescription will be identify by chart review.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 1997

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Switzerland
  • Geneva, Switzerland, 1211
    • Geneva University Hospitals, ED

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 16 years and older (Child, Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

All adult patients during one year in 2 EDs in the state of Geneva, Switzerland, with a prescription of an abdominal plain x-ray

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• >= 16 years
• prescription of an abdominal plain x-ray during their stay in the ED

Exclusion Criteria:

• < 16 y
• no abdominal plain x-ray prescribed

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Plain abdominal x-ray; All patients admitted to 2 EDs and with a prescription of an abdominal plain x-ray.	Other: abdominal plain x-ray; Abdominal plain x-ray as prescribed by the emergency physician

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Indications for abdominal plain x-ray prescription	Identification of the indications for abdominal plain x-ray and of the number of patients with appropriate indications accordingly to international guidelines	Within 24 hours after ED admission

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number and types of other prescribed radiological exams	Describe whether other radiological exams (CT, ultrasonography, MRI) have been performed and their indications.	Within 24 hours after ED admission

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University Hospital, Geneva
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Omar Kherad, MD, MPH, Hôpital de La Tour

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Bertin CL, Ponthus S, Vivekanantham H, Poletti PA, Kherad O, Rutschmann OT. Overuse of plain abdominal radiography in emergency departments: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2019 Jan 14;19(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s12913-019-3870-2.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 1, 2017
• Study Completion (Actual): June 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 24, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 29, 2016
• First Posted (Estimate): December 2, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 27, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 26, 2017
• Last Verified: July 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Disease Attributes; Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Abdominal Pain; Emergencies; Abdomen, Acute
• Other Study ID Numbers: CCER 2016-00104

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO