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Ottawa researchers take the lead in reducing unnecessary procedures in emergency department


October 12, 2016



Unnecessary medical procedures waste billions of dollars each year in Canada and cause substantial discomfort and harm to patients. Two high-profile organizations recently recognized the leadership of Ottawa researchers in tackling this problem in the emergency department. Choosing Wisely Canada and the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians made a list of the top 10 ways to reduce unnecessary procedures in the emergency department. Five of these were developed by researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Ottawa and CHEO. The approaches, developed by Drs. Ian Stiell, Phil Wells, Martin Osmond and colleagues, involve clinical decision rules to reduce unnecessary imaging for ankle injuries, head injuries, neck injuries and blood clots. Three of these rules are also included on a “top five” list developed by U.S. researchers.

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


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

For further information, please 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