Analysis of the Need for a Whole-Body CT Scanner at US Darnall Army Community Hospital

摘要

Computerized Axial Tomography (CT) Scanners are high dollar items presently authorized at all US Army Medical Centers where workload has justified their acquisition. No Army medical treatment facility smaller than a Medical Center has a CT Scanner. This study attempts to determine whether Darnall Army Community Hospital, Ft Hood, Texas, can document sufficient need to procure a whole body CT Scanner. As a baseline for the study, the National Guideline of 2500 patient examinations per year (or 208 per month) to justify a CT Scanner was used. Average monthly procedures performed on original Darnall patients at civilian or military medical facilities approached 110 to 120 per month-significantly below the baseline. The author did not recommend procuring a CT Scanner, but suggested that a survey be conducted again at a later date after physicians become thoroughly educated on the diagnosing capabilities and advantages of this piece of equipment. Keywords: Health care, CT Scanner procurement justification.