Availability of Diagnostic Resources on a 24-7 Basis to Support Emergency Care

Originally approved April 2025


As an adjunct to this policy statement, ACEP has prepared a Policy Resource and Education Paper (PREP) titled "Availability of Diagnostic Resources on a 24-7 Basis to Support Emergency Care."

The American College of Emergency Physicians strongly advocates for hospitals to provide continuous, 24/7 access to critical diagnostic modalities, including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray, and ultrasound to support timely and effective delivery of emergency care. For critical access and low resource hospitals unable to provide these on a 24/7 basis, there should be clear protocols in place with receiving hospitals to facilitate timely transfers for necessary diagnostic imaging. It is essential that emergency departments have timely access to the spectrum of imaging technology to ensure accurate diagnoses, optimized patient outcomes, and reduced risk of adverse events associated with delayed or missed diagnoses.