Changes in Emergency Department Imaging: Perspectives From National Patient Surveys Over Two Decades

For many conditions, ED utilization of advanced imaging increased significantly, though growth was variable across conditions. In certain scenarios, advanced ED imaging is adding to, rather than replacing, other modalities. Ultrasound and radiography utilization was overall unchanged. That national patient survey data mirror traditional claims-based studies suggests an expanded role for patient-generated data in identifying areas of imaging utilization that may benefit from targeted optimization efforts.