Full-Body X-Ray Imaging to Facilitate Triage : A Potential Aid in High-Volume Emergency Departments

Abstract EN

The levels of traumatic injury seen in South African emergency departments (EDs) are epidemic.

This is coupled with a severe lack of resources and adequately trained emergency staff.

The Lodox Statscan (LS) is an X-ray scanner capable of producing rapid, low-dose, and full-body X-ray images.

In this paper, a new trauma protocol—the Johannesburg trauma protocol—that implements LS scanning on entry to the ED as a triage tool is reported.

A case study illustrating the use of LS to triage 63 patients in a single Saturday shift at a level 1 Trauma Centre is also presented.

Because of the ability to rapidly and safely provide X-ray imaging information to support clinical decision making, the LS could be a useful tool to aid in resource allocation to improve treatment of the high levels of trauma patients that present to South African EDs daily.