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Need a CT scan for a head injury? Ottawa rule now included in app


November 22, 2017


The Ottawa Rules app now includes the Canadian CT Head Rule developed by Dr. Ian Stiell and colleagues. This rule helps emergency department clinicians determine if a patient with a head injury requires a CT scan. Previous research showed that it has the potential to dramatically cut the need for CT scanning, which would save money, reduce emergency department overcrowding and reduce patient radiation exposure. The Ottawa Rules app was developed by The Ottawa Hospital mHealth Lab, led by Dr. Kumanan Wilson. It now includes four Ottawa emergency medicine rules, with more on the way, and has been updated with new interactive features. It has been downloaded more than 6,000 times in more than 100 countries. Download it for free from the App Store and Google Play.

Funding: This research was possible because of generous donations to The Ottawa Hospital for Research to Improve Patient Care. The expansion of The Ottawa Rules app was supported by the Innovation Fund of the Alternative Funding Plan for the Academic Health Sciences Centres of Ontario.

The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion


The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care. See www.ohri.ca for more information about research at The Ottawa Hospital.

University of Ottawa: —A crossroads of cultures and ideas


The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca

Media Contact


Jennifer Ganton
Director, Communications and Public Relations
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73325
Cell: 613-614-5253
jganton@ohri.ca