Doctors at the Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa have created a new app that they hope will cut down on unnecessary tests when it comes to broken bones.

The 'Ottawa Rules' app for iPhone and Android is the culmination of more than 25 years of research by doctors at The Ottawa Hospital.

"These rules were based on a lot of research, probably from my experience working in the emergency department here," said Dr. Ian Stiell. "We could see that a lot of patients had X-Rays and scans they did not need."

Using videos and algorithm, Stiell said the app walks health care professionals through several sets of rules that can help determine whether patients with possible ankle, knee and neck injuries need further scans.

"All these things have been around a while. They are in textbooks and pocket cards and old fashioned posters on the wall and are in the journals, but the app makes it a lot easier for a lot of people," Stiell said. "And the younger physicians prefer an app if they can get their hands on one."

The app includes well-known rules including the Ottawa Knee Rule, the Ottawa Ankle Rules and the Canadian C-spine rule. It is meant for health care professionals not the general public.

The project was funded by The Ottawa Hospital Academic Medical Organization.