Indications for CT scans that were performed/not performed, after implementation of 2007 NICE guidelines for children
| NICE guidance indicating a head CT scan | SRFT CT scan performed n=5 | RBFT CT scan performed n=8 | SRFT CT scan not performed n=11 | RBFT CT scan not performed n=27 |
| Loss of consciousness >5 min | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Amnesia >5 min | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Abnormal drowsiness | 1 | 4 | 5 | |
| Three episodes of vomiting | 2 | 5 | 14 | |
| Non-accidental injury | ||||
| Post-traumatic seizure | 1 | |||
| Age >1 year: GCS<14 | ||||
| Age <1 year: GCS<15 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Suspicion of skull injury | ||||
| Basal skull fracture | 2 | 1 | ||
| Focal neurological deficit | 1 | |||
| Dangerous mechanism | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Age <1 year: bruise, swelling or laceration >5 cm on head | 1 |
Multiple indications were present for some patients in all categories.
GCS, Glasgow Coma Score; NICE, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; RBFT, Royal Bolton Hospital Foundation NHS Trust; SRFT, Salford Royal Foundation NHS Trust.