Key result
A PoCUS-first strategy for non-traumatic abdominal pain was associated with a 47% reduction in emergency department length of stay (ratio of means 0.53) and 48% lower costs compared to a CT-only approach.
Why the study?
Point-of-care ultrasound may reduce emergency department length of stay for selected abdominal diagnoses, but its role in undifferentiated, non-traumatic abdominal pain remains uncertain.
Does a PoCUS-first strategy reduce ED length of stay and costs in adult ED patients presenting with non-traumatic abdominal pain?
Cohort (n=26,403)
No
Does a PoCUS-first strategy reduce ED length of stay and costs in adult ED patients presenting with non-traumatic abdominal pain?
Effect estimate: Ratio of means 0.53 (95% CI 0.52-0.54)
Absolute Event Rate: 3% vs 6%
p-value: p=<0.001
A PoCUS-first strategy for non-traumatic abdominal pain in the ED is associated with significantly reduced length of stay and costs without compromising patient safety.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
PoCUS-first may reduce ED resource use in abdominal pain; hypothesis-generating and should not change practice without RCTs.
Chiu et al. (2025) conducted a cohort in Non-traumatic abdominal pain (n=26,403). Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS)-first strategy vs. Computed tomography (CT)-only strategy was evaluated on Emergency department length of stay (ED LOS) (Ratio of means 0.53, 95% CI 0.52-0.54, p=<0.001). A PoCUS-first strategy for non-traumatic abdominal pain was associated with a 47% reduction in emergency department length of stay (ratio of means 0.53) and 48% lower costs compared to a CT-only approach.
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