Special and Later Tests

These tests are usually not performed in the ED and are usually at the request of the appropriate specialty team as either an inpatient or outpatient.

Table 1 Tests performed outside the ED
Test Reason
Bloods Further blood tests and imaging are normally performed outside of the ED
Contrast Studies Contrast studies such as a barium enema are occasionally performed as part of an ongoing surgical investigation of patients
Endoscopy Colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy may be performed if bleeding or peptic ulcer disease is suspected
Angiogram Angiography is occasionally performed, particularly to investigate the vascular tree in patients with suspected angiodysplasia or ischaemic bowel disease. Therapeutic procedures, such as embolisation, can be done at the same time
MRI MRI is performed more rarely but can be used to delineate the biliary tree