Emergency physicians at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central and Memorial Hospital North in Colorado Springs are using a new blood test that can help determine whether patients with suspected brain injuries need a CT scan.

1. Results come in about 15 minutes.
The bedside test uses a few drops of blood to measure two biomarkers associated with brain injury. The handheld device provides results in about 15 minutes, potentially speeding up emergency department care. 

2. The test may help patients avoid unnecessary CT scans.
Since December, UCHealth doctors have used the test on about 200 patients, and in roughly 80% of cases, doctors determined a CT scan was not needed. A “not elevated” result can help physicians rule out the need for a CT scan when considered alongside other clinical assessments. 

3. It could reduce costs and ease pressure on imaging resources.
CT scans can be costly and may take significantly longer than the blood test when accounting for the scan and radiologist interpretation. The blood test typically costs a few hundred dollars and can be performed at the patient's bedside, potentially shortening ER stays and freeing CT equipment for patients who need it. 

Source: UCHealth Today, “ER doctors are using a new blood test for brain injuries,” by Joanna Bean, Aug. 26, 2026. 

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