Updated 20 April

RANZCR has released a position statement on the appropriate use of CT during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in relation to patients undergoing emergency surgery.

RANZCR recognises the need for our surgical colleagues to have the utmost protection against the risk of becoming infected during the course of their daily work and strongly support policies, procedures and PPE that facilitate this. However, RANZCR strongly advises against conducting routine chest CT scans for all individuals undergoing emergency surgery in Australia and New Zealand.

We believe the misuse of chest CT and misapplication of results in this situation brings unnecessary and clinically important risks to the surgical team and the patient, given the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and New Zealand.