Getting a CT Scan in the ER: Everything You Need to Know

When you or a loved one visits the emergency room for an injury or medical concern, your doctor may order a computed tomography (CT) scan if it’s needed to help diagnose your condition. This special type of X-ray gives your doctor a full visual of what's going on inside your body, including organs, blood vessels and other soft tissues, in a 3D image. Your ER physician uses CT scan results to determine whether you have internal bleeding, a blood clot or organ problems or damage.

We’re sharing more about when a CT scan may be needed, how it works, how quickly doctors receive CT scan results in the ER and what happens once your results are in.

How the CT Scan Process Works

Before you have your CT scan in the emergency room, you’ll go through a few steps of prep, including:

1. Changing from your everyday clothes into a hospital gown
2. Removing any metal from your body, including jewelry, glasses and body piercings
3. Removing hearing aids, dentures and medication patches
4. Answering a few medical questions, including if you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant, whether you've ever had an allergic reaction to contrast dye or iodine and if you have any kidney or thyroid issues
5. Providing a full list of all medications — both prescription and over-the-counter — you’re currently taking
6. Depending on what your CT scan needs to see, your doctor may ask you to stop eating or drinking

During a CT scan, you’ll be asked to lie down on a table-like bed, which will then be rolled into the circular CT scanner. The imaging technician will instruct you to lie as still as possible during your scan, and may even ask you to hold your breath for 15 to 20 second intervals.

Depending on what your doctor is looking for, you may have an injection of a contrast dye, which helps make it easier for medical professionals to see certain areas of the body, like your blood vessels.

The whole CT scan process generally takes between 15 and 30 minutes.

Why a CT Scan May Be Needed in the ER

Because a CT scan creates a 3D image of the inside of your head or body, your doctor can use it to look for damage, bleeding and many other signs of an internal medical issue.

The scanner is designed to take X-ray images of your body from multiple angles. This allows it to take cross-sectional "slices" of your body. All of these “slices” are then created into a 3D image by a computer, giving your doctor a full visual of what’s going on inside your body.

CT scans are commonly used in the emergency department to detect:

• Brain injuries or bleeds
• Blood clots or internal bleeding
• Blood vessel damage, such as an aneurysm or narrowing
• Broken bones
• Cancer tumor diagnosis
• Excess body fluid build-up
• Gallstones
• Gastrointestinal issues like appendicitis, pancreatitis or blockages
• Heart disease
• Internal organ damage
• Kidney stones
• Liver issues
• Lung problems
• Pneumonia
• Problems with the female reproductive organs, such as the uterus and ovaries
• Pulmonary embolism
• Skull fractures
• Spinal cord injuries

How Long Do CT Scan Results Usually Take

In emergencies, your doctor will normally receive your CT scan results within 30 minutes to a few hours so they can see what's going on inside your body and quickly take action.

In nonemergency situations, CT scan results may take 24 to 48 hours.

Who Reviews CT Scan Results

Much of how soon your ER doctor receives your CT scan results has to do with how quickly the radiologist (a medical professional who specializes in reading diagnostic imaging) can review the scan and send their findings to the doctor.

When reading your CT scan, the radiologist uses a variety of techniques to identify any issues inside your body or head. They review the many cross-sectional images the CT scan takes to create the 3D image to look for abnormalities, such as:

• Blood vessel issues
• Irregularly shaped organs
• Organs that are too big or too small
• Tissue densities

Emergency CT scans will take priority over nonemergency scans, meaning the radiologist will review those scans first.

What Happens After Results Are In

In an emergency, your doctor will go over your CT scan results with you as soon as they receive them from the radiologist. From there, they’ll discuss with you what your next step options are, which may include:

• Admission into the hospital for further testing and observation
• Discharge to go home and follow up with your primary care provider
• Referrals to specialists
• Treatment options

For example, if your CT scan shows signs of internal bleeding or serious blood vessel damage, you may go directly to the operating room for treatment. Signs of pneumonia, blood clots, appendicitis and pancreatitis will usually lead to admission into the hospital for treatment and observation.

And if the radiologist finds any concerns with your liver or heart, your ER doctor will provide you with a referral to a hepatologist or cardiologist for further follow-up.

Tips for Patients Waiting on Results

If you or a loved one is in the ER for an emergency medical need, it’s understandable to feel stress and anxiety. Adding in a waiting period for diagnostic testing results can make your worrying worse, especially if it takes a few hours for the radiologist to get their findings to your doctor.

When waiting for CT scan results, some great ways to calm your concerns include:

• Acknowledge that you’re worried and talk to a family member or medical professional about it
• Ask a family member or friend to stay at the ER with you while you wait for results
• Distract yourself as much as possible by taking a walk outside, grabbing something to eat, reading a book or talking to a loved one
• Focus on what you can control right now and try to avoid thinking about worst-case scenarios
• Try some relaxation techniques, such as prayer, deep breathing or closing your eyes to meditate

If your doctor believes your medical needs are not an emergency, you may not receive your CT scan results for a day or two. That can also create anxiety as you wait to hear about them. If you have to wait for a longer period at home, all the calming options above will work, as well as:

• Continue doing your favorite activities to help distract you, such as arts and crafts, gardening or reading
• Getting enough quality sleep
• Limiting caffeine and alcohol use, which can make anxiety worse
• Moving your body whenever possible, whether it's taking a walk around the neighborhood or your usual exercise routine
• Staying in constant contact with a family member or friend so you have someone to talk to if your anxiety increases
• Sticking to your daily routine as much as possible to help you feel grounded

Fast Answers and Trusted Care at AdventHealth ERs

Anytime you or a loved one needs to visit the emergency room can be a stressful time, but we strive to make the experience as easy and calming as possible for you. If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, our AdventHealth ERs are open 24/7 and ready to assist you with fast, compassionate, whole-person care. Find your nearest location today so you’re prepared if an emergency happens.