Cost-effectiveness of point-of-care creatinine testing to assess kidney function prior to contrast-enhanced computed tomography imaging

Highlights: • A testing sequence including Point-of-care creatinine (POC) may be cost-effective. • This sequence combines risk factor screening with a POC test and laboratory testing. • The cost-effectiveness of POC tests is driven by cost-savings in the health system. • This potential savings stem from avoided CT scan delays to CT scans. • The risk of PC-AKI from contrast and the effect of IV hydration remain uncertain. Patients undergoing contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) imaging in a non-emergency outpatient setting often lack a recent estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate measurement. This may lead to inefficiencies in the CECT pathway. The use of point-of-care (POC) creatinine tests to evaluate kidney function in these patients may provide a safe and cost-effective alternative to current practice, as these can provide results within the same CECT appointment.