Cincinnati Hospital Initiative Cuts Unnecessary CT Scans
Emergency physicians at two local hospitals reduced imaging by over 3,500 scans to prioritize patient safety and efficiency.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Stroke
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Emergency physicians at the UC Medical Center and West Chester Hospital have successfully reduced the use of unnecessary head and cervical spine CT scans. The initiative aimed to optimize patient care by reinforcing clinical decision rules within the electronic health record system.
Why it matters
The program sought to decrease excessive imaging while maintaining rigorous safety standards for patients. Reviewers confirmed that the refined diagnostic process resulted in no missed injuries or patient harm.
The effort prevented 6,021 millisieverts of radiation exposure during a 23-month period. Investigators reported that the reduction saved patients $6.2 million in health care costs and 14,000 hours of waiting time.
The players
UC Medical Center
This is a major academic medical center in Cincinnati that serves as a primary teaching hospital for the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
West Chester Hospital
This facility is part of the University of Cincinnati Health system and provides emergency and specialized care to residents in the Cincinnati region.
The details
By integrating decision-support tools into the electronic health record system, the hospitals effectively limited imaging to cases where it was medically required. A thorough review conducted after the 23-month period confirmed the initiative maintained high-quality care without compromising patient outcomes.
Timeline
The study and scan reduction took place over a 23-month period.
Health Landscape
This initiative follows the pattern set by the Choosing Wisely campaign to reduce unnecessary medical testing. It marks a shift toward data-driven diagnostic practices that prioritize patient safety by limiting radiation exposure.
Patients at these local hospitals may now experience shorter wait times and reduced exposure to radiation during emergency visits. These changes ensure that imaging is performed only when clinically necessary to support accurate injury detection.
The takeaway
Limiting unnecessary scans based on established clinical rules can significantly improve healthcare efficiency and safety. Patients benefit from both lower out-of-pocket costs and faster navigation through emergency departments.
Further reading
Learn more about local diagnostic standards in our Stroke section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cleveland.
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