Table 4.

Evaluation and Management of Concussions in New England Emergency Departments

Survey question	Survey responders (n = 72) n (%)
Who Performs Evaluations of Patients with Concussion? (Select all that apply)
- Emergency medicine physician	72 (100%)
- Physician assistant, nurse practitioner	44 (61%)
- Registered nurse	12 (17%)
- Neurology/neurosurgery physician	10 (14%)
- Other physicians	7 (10%)
What Are Clinical Decisions for Neuroimaging Based on?
- Practitioner preference	41 (57%)
- Clinical guidelines	30 (42%)
- Department policy	1 (1%)
What Percentage of Concussion Patients Under 12 Receive a CT (or MRI) Scan?
- ≤24%	36 (50%)
- 25–49%	17 (24%)
- ≥50%	17 (24%)
- N/A	2 (2%)
What Symptoms/Factors Are More Likely to Result in a CT (or MRI) Scan in Patients Under 12? (Select all that apply)
- Vomiting	59 (82%)
- Loss of consciousness	57 (79%)
- Visualized head/neck trauma	44 (61%)
- Antero/retrograde amnesia	39 (54%)
- Headache	21 (29%)
- Confusion/altered mental status	2 (3%)
- Parental request	2 (3%)
To What Extent Does the Concern for Radiation Exposure Affect the Decision to Obtain a CT Scan in Patients under 12?
- Significantly	38 (53%)
- Moderately	24 (33%)
- Somewhat	8 (11%)
- N/A	2 (3%)
What Percentage of Concussion Patients Over 12 Receive a CT (or MRI) Scan?
- ≤24%	18 (25%)
- 25–49%	24 (33%)
- ≥50%	30 (42%)
What Symptoms/Factors Are More Likely to Result in a CT (or MRI) Scan in Patients Over 12? (Select all that apply)
- Anticoagulation	69 (96%)
- Age over 60	67 (93%)
- Drug/alcohol intoxication	63 (88%)
- Vomiting	60 (83%)
- Loss of consciousness	60 (83%)
- Visualized head/neck trauma	48 (67%)
- Ante/retrograde amnesia	40 (56%)
- Headache	28 (39%)
To What Extent Does the Concern for Radiation Exposure Affect the Decision to Obtain a CT Scan in Patients Over 12?
- Significantly	10 (14%)
- Moderately	32 (44%)
- Somewhat	22 (31%)
- Not at All	8 (11%)

CT, computed tomography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.