UCHealth hospitals in Colorado Springs first in state to implement tool that can eliminate need for CT scan

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — Two UCHealth emergency departments in Colorado Springs are the first in the state to implement a new tool that could allow patients to avoid the costs of a CT scan. UCHealth says with just a few drops of blood, the i-STAT Alinity traumatic brain injury (TBI) test can eliminate the need for a CT scan of the brain. The test can also make a diagnosis in roughly 15 minutes, instead of the hours it takes to complete and read a CT scan. The test looks for two proteins released in the bloodstream after a brain injury: if the test is negative, patients can avoid a CT scan. If the test is positive, a CT scan is often necessary.