When to request a CT Scan (which does not need to be immediate)

A CT scan must happen within 8 hours of the request, if:

• Aged 65 or over

• Any history of bleeding or clotting disorders – this will include being on anticoagulant medication such as warfarin or DOACs (Direct-acting Oral AntiCoagulants) which include apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban and dabigatran. It is worth taking advice from on call Haematology SpR/Consultant via switchboard.

• Dangerous mechanism of injury – will be identifiable from the history from ambulance team and possible police teams. You need to consider scanning other areas such as the c-spine at the same time with these type of injuries.

• More than 30 minutes retrograde amnesia of events immediately before the injury.