Urgent Scan Within 48 Hours Could Save Lives for A&E Patients with Blood in Urine
Concerning new research has revealed that one in ten patients who attend Accident and Emergency departments after noticing blood in their urine die within three months. However, experts emphasise that a simple scan carried out within 48 hours could significantly reduce this mortality risk.
High Cancer Rates and Varied Care
While blood in urine, medically known as haematuria, is not always caused by something serious, it can signal bladder or kidney cancer, particularly when combined with symptoms such as pain or fever. The study found that around one in four patients who arrive at A&E with visible haematuria are diagnosed with cancer, with bladder cancer being the most common type.
Researchers stated that early scans not only improve survival chances but also ensure cancers are detected far more quickly. Approximately 25,000 people visit UK A&E departments each year with blood in their urine, yet care varies widely depending on the hospital or even the doctor treating them.
Global Shortfalls and Critical Findings
Globally, only around half of patients receive a scan, while just a third undergo surgery. Others are either sent home or admitted for observation, according to the study. The findings come from the WASHOUT study, presented at the European Association of Urology Congress 2026 in London.
This study analysed data from more than 8,500 patients across 380 hospitals worldwide, showing that rapid investigation is critical to improving outcomes. Experts recommend that patients should receive a CT scan or cystoscopy, a procedure used to look inside the bladder, within 48 hours of arriving at A&E to determine the next steps.
Impact of Delayed Diagnosis
Patients who did not receive appropriate tests or treatment were 2.5 per cent more likely to die within three months compared to those who did. They were also more likely to spend longer in hospital and be readmitted with the same issue.
Among patients with cancer, those who received tests within 48 hours were diagnosed within one day on average. By contrast, those discharged without investigation waited around three weeks for a diagnosis. Researchers are now working to incorporate these findings into clinical guidelines to standardise care.
Expert and Patient Perspectives
Lead researcher Nikita Bhatt, a consultant urologist at St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin, said: 'This is the largest study exploring how we should treat people who present at A&E with blood in their urine. It's a common problem affecting thousands of people around the world, and these patients are usually very unwell. But too often they fall through the gaps because it isn't obviously tied to a specific disease. Our findings show how important it is that doctors take the necessary steps to identify the cause of the problem.'
Jacqueline Emeks, a patient advocate who developed sepsis after attending A&E with the symptom, added: 'These findings highlight that blood in the urine should trigger immediate action. It's not something to watch and wait. Patients know their bodies and deserve to be taken seriously. Blood in urine is a red flag until proven otherwise.'
Professor Joost Boormans, a urologist at Erasmus University Medical Centre in Rotterdam, commented: 'This is an important study highlighting the scale of the problem. Timely tests can accelerate diagnosis and reduce the risk of readmission and long hospital stays, both of which are currently high. We should do more to ensure patients receive an immediate diagnosis to improve outcomes and reduce pressure on healthcare systems.'
Understanding Haematuria
What is haematuria? Haematuria is blood in the urine. Sometimes the blood can be seen, but often it is only present in very small amounts and is invisible to the naked eye. A simple urine test can detect these very small amounts of blood, which is one of the checks done at many routine medical examinations.
What causes haematuria? The main causes of blood in the urine include:
- Infection
- Kidney stones
- Tumours in the bladder or kidney
- Harmless leakage from the bladder area
- Inflammation in the kidney
These conditions are investigated using a urine sample sent to the laboratory to look for infection, an ultrasound scan of the kidneys, and by looking inside the bladder with a flexible tube. Source: NHS.
