Diagnostics through images in ER. From guidelines to clinical practice

Appropriate use of emergency and urgent radiodiagnostic techniques is fundamental for optimum patient management and in order to favour the sustainability of the health system. Guidelines compiled by healthcare organisations and research companies on suitable use of radiodiagnostics are available and can be consulted free of charge on the Internet. This work aims to review and compare the Italian guidelines issued by the Regional Health Services Agency and those of the American College of Radiology (USA), with regard to emergency and urgent conditions, and to propose a method for the application of the guidelines in different situations, based on an experience conducted within Piedmont local health authority 10.