Choosing Wisely audit: CT KUB ordering in emergency department renal colic presentations

Objective: Our aim was to safely reduce unnecessary CT KUBs (kidneys, ureters, bladder) in patients with renal colic. Methods: This was a before and after intervention observational study of 74 patients in April 2023 and 57 patients in October 2023. Results: Seventy-five per cent of patients with suspected renal colic underwent a CT KUB in the pre-audit period. Following education, an update in the ED Renal Colic Policy, electronic medical record ordering and short stay pathway, a re-audit was undertaken in October 2023 resulting in an absolute reduction of 15% of CT KUBs ordered. Conclusions: Audit interventions can reduce unnecessary CT KUBs in renal colic.